Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Surprise Stadium 15930 N. Bullard Ave Surprise, AZ 85374 Texas Rangers Spring Training website Surprise Stadium website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 10,714 Surprise Rangers The MLB Texas Rangers are celebrating their 20th spring ball season at the gorgeous Surprise Stadium in Arizona this 2023 season. The Rangers share the stadium with the Kansas City Royals. The Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League play their home games at the venue. Owned and managed by the city of Surprise Sports & Tourism Department, the stadium boasts wide open concourses and plaza areas and is shared equally between the two teams. A well- known architect, Populous, designed the stadium with fan comfort in mind, with spacious concourse plaza areas, plenty of shade and sunshine (depending on your preference), lots of legroom, and an open wrap-around concourse. It’s a comfortable facility to catch a Rangers spring training game in February or March. Food & Beverage 4 Surprise Stadium provides a considerable number of refreshment choices for the baseball fan. Some offerings are in permanent stands, and others are in carts, trucks, and kiosks along the concourse and the plazas. Food from the latter group always tastes better. That’s what we recommend checking out. I find the choices down the third base concourse preferable. Fans can purchase juicy Italian sausage, bratwurst, meat burgers, portobello burgers, chicken tenders, and hot dogs ($9.25 - $11). Top Taco on the third base side sells tacos trays at $15 - $16 (enough for two or more people) or a Desert Cactus margarita at $19. The Links Neighborhood Grill (a local restaurant) sells smoked chicken, Carolina pork, and rib meals for $14 - $17. Snacks, carnival-like lemonade, funnel cake/elephant ears, fries and curly fries, corn dogs, etc. run $9 - $10 at several kiosks. Best of all is a red Sweeties ice cream truck on the third base concourse plaza, a nice treat for those warm spring days and evenings in Surprise AZ. Most concession menus have a calorie count listed. The stadium serves Coca-Cola brands of soda ($5.50 - $10) or bottles ($6.15). A good variety of craft and domestic beer is on sale, including Boulevard Beer – a brewery based in Kansas City, and Huss Brewing – based in Phoenix. Be sure to check out the Huss Brewing Container Bar area on the first base plaza. Concession areas serve traditional domestic brands like Bud Light, Coors, Michelob Ultra, Hard Seltzer, and the like. A tent on the third base concourse sells beers on tap, including Four Peaks, Barrios, Boulevard, Huss, Samuel Adams, and even cider. Beer prices are around $13 or $14; wine and cocktails cost $9 - $17, depending on choice. Vendors do not roam the stands selling beverages. Surprise Stadium allows fans to bring in outside food if it is in a clear Ziploc bag. The stadium permits fans to bring in two sealed bottles of water as well as single-serving juice boxes, baby food, and formula. Atmosphere 4 The Rangers offer a fine afternoon or evening of spring ball. The Surprise Sundancers – a spring training volunteer services group – extend heartfelt warmth, greetings, and assistance to all visitors to Surprise Stadium. They run the 50/50 raffle each game and host a charity game each spring. All proceeds go to youth-related programs and scholarships. The Rangers side of the stadium is the first base side, with the team offices guarded by a white picket fence in the right field corner and Royals banners down the third base concourse. The sun sets behind the grandstand; infield seats get the shade. Seats down the baselines get the sun, so there’s enough variance to suit everyone’s preference. Berm seating is available in the outfield (but not directly in front of the batter’s eye). Populous added seats above the bullpens when designing the stadium, a delightful feature not often seen in spring ball venues. Fans can peer over the bullpens and watch pitchers warm up. Surprise Stadium Seats Above Bullpens, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Sprinkled throughout the seating area are specifically designed aisle seats with no armrests. These give big people a little more comfort when watching the game. Be sure to ask for one of these if desired. Protective netting extends to the end of the seating area, with only the last two sections on each baseline net-free (sections 121-124). Fans like to congregate here pregame in hopes of receiving an autograph or two. The scoreboard is in left field and has two unique features: one, an analog clock is at the top (nice touch!), and two, colored circles indicate the balls, strikes, and outs, with green for balls and red for strikes and outs. Sponsor advertisements decorate half of the scoreboard. Unfortunately, the music volume and frequency are more frequent and louder than in some other spring training facilities in Arizona. Neighborhood 3 Surprise AZ is known for having many active adult communities and residences. Many northerners migrate south for the winter or relocate permanently to the area for its warm weather. Surprise does not have a ‘downtown’ area and is more piecemeal with communities and strip malls. Construction crews are building more and more structures as the city grows in popularity. Across the street from the stadium are the city-owned and operated tennis and racquet courts, the Surprise Community Park (walking trails, fishing pond, picnic area), an aquatic center, and the library. For places to stay near the ballpark, a Residence Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and a Hilton Garden Inn are about ½ mile from the stadium. Places to eat and drink before or after the game require a vehicle. Many chain and fast food places are along Bell Rd. For non-chain suggestions, try Bonfire Craft Kitchen and Tap House, Saigon Kitchen (Vietnamese), or Irish Wolfhound. State 48 Brewery has a brewpub a little over two miles from the stadium. Uptown Alley is a bowling alley, game room, lounge, bars, and full-service restaurant all in one, 3 ½ miles from the ballpark. If outdoor activities interest you, at least eight golf courses dot the Surprise landscape, or take a hike at the White Tank Mountain Regional Park (17 miles from the ballpark). Fans 3 A good mix of fans visit Surprise for a Rangers spring training game: the die-hard Rangers fans and those supporting the visiting team, retired folks enjoying the warmer southwest weather, families with kids, and friends and couples enjoying a few hours out. It’s a laid-back crowd, as most spring games are, as fans are there to talk baseball and check out up-and-coming Rangers players, as well as an inning or two of watching one of their favorite MLB Rangers. Access 3 Surprise Stadium is the farthest spring training facility in the Cactus League from downtown Phoenix, about a 45+ min drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. If coming from the south and west, we highly recommend taking the 303 Loop even though it’s longer in mileage. That route has far fewer traffic lights and congestion than other choices. Public transportation is not available to Surprise Stadium. Gates open 1 ½ hours before the first pitch. Parking is free, always a welcome feature. Police officers do a good job of directing traffic before and after the game. Three gates are open, all in the outfield. The ticket booth is outside center field behind the batter’s eye, a rare characteristic in Cactus League spring training venues. Expect a lot of walking from the parking areas and then again, after entering the stadium. After getting through security, fans walk down and around the wide-open plazas and concourse to get to the seating area. Sundancers are readily available with wheelchairs to assist anyone who might have difficulty with the walk to their seats. Clear stadium bags (12” x 6” x 12”) are allowed , though the signs explaining this are not easy to read and do not make fans feel welcome. Clean restrooms are available behind the batter’s eye and along the inner concourse. Baby changing tables are available in all restrooms. Return on Investment 4 As with all Cactus League stadiums, spring training tickets have increased. That said, a Texas Rangers game is way more affordable than most other Cactus League ballparks. Based on the game and opponent, the team offers three pricing structures: classic, standard, and premium. In 2023, for outer baseline seats (in the sun), a classic game ticket price is $16, standard is $20, and premium is $25. Lawn seats run $8 - $12. Tickets may be available on third party sites. Check those first before purchasing from the team site. F ree parking and being allowed to bring in food and bottles of water help reduce some of the costs. Extras 4 A few things are worth mentioning or mentioning again. The specifically designed aisle seats with no armrest for big people. The seats above the bullpens. A Hall of Fame highlighting plaques honoring both Royals and Rangers players and managers, as well as local community role models. The Sundancers’ friendliness and eagerness to assist and strike up a conversation are worth another mention. Final Thoughts Although more distant than other spring training venues, Surprise Stadium is a pleasant venue for faithful Rangers fans, residents of the West Valley, and all baseball fans to enjoy a few hours of spring ball. The design is striking, the seats comfortable, and the concourses wide open.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Howarth Field 1228 N 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122 Temple Owls website Howarth Field website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 500 Give a Hoot for Temple Field Hockey Opened in 2016, Howarth Field in Philadelphia is home to the Temple University Owls field hockey program. The stadium seats approximately 500 fans and is part of the Temple Sports Complex which also includes Temple's soccer stadium. The stadium is named after former Temple field hockey player Cherita Howard and her husband Greg, who donated $500,000 towards the construction of the new stadium. Although Temple has competed in the American Athletic Conference in most sports since it split from the old Big East in 2013, neither the AAC nor the new Big East has enough full members to sponsor field hockey. As a result, it was agreed the conferences would sponsor field hockey jointly under the Big East banner. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale at Howarth Field, but fans are free to bring their own, except alcohol. Many fans will set up tailgates before the match and can be seen bringing food in from it during breaks in the action, but these are only for people in their group. Nonetheless, it is nice to see a tailgating scene at what is not ordinarily considered a major sport. Atmosphere 4 Howarth Field consists of a few rows of bleachers on one sideline. They are close enough that all seats have an outstanding view of the action. When Stadium Journey visited, part of the bleachers were taken up by the band, although we are told they are not always in attendance. When they are in attendance, they play the Temple fight song before the game and after each Owls goal. A band is a rarity at a sport like field hockey, so for them to even show up sometimes shows how much Temple cares about the atmosphere here. There is a scoreboard behind one goal which also shows time remaining on penalty cards. Oddly enough, there is also a spot for team timeouts even though field hockey has not had timeouts for several years now. Before the match, the scoreboard is used to play a hype video showing Temple field hockey highlights and other clips to get the crowd pumped up for the game. Neighborhood 3 Temple University is located in North Philadelphia near the intersection of Girard Avenue and Broad Street. Although this was once a very bad neighborhood, it has improved somewhat. There are a few restaurants located right across Girard Street from the stadium, including John's Seafood, Crown Fried Chicken, and Angie's Vietnamese Cuisine. The Met Philadelphia, a prominent concert hall, is a short walk away on Broad Street. You will find other options nearby as well, including Larry's Steaks, serving up the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak. Fans 5 Although Howarth Field seats only 500, Owl fans routinely fill it near or even over capacity. Many of them are friends or family of the players, but there are other fans as well, not to mention the band, which forms a kind of student section not normally seen at college field hockey. They are loud and passionate, clapping along with the fight song and ringing cowbells after big plays. As the fight song goes, they "Fight! Fight! Fight! For the cherry and the white" and are among the most passionate fan bases in the sport. As mentioned above, they will arrive early and tailgate before the game, then head to the stands and cheer on the Owls to victory. Given the Big East occupies a small geographic footprint, at least for field hockey which the midwestern members don't sponsor, you will often see a decent number of visiting fans as well. They will encounter no issues, but unlike at some places, this definitely will feel like a Temple home game rather than a neutral site contest. Access 4 There are many highways in Philadelphia, so getting into town by car should prove no problem. Once you get to the stadium, you will park about a 5 to 10-minute walk away in the Temple Towers lot. Turn left on 13th Street when you leave the lot and follow the signs to the entrance. Parking costs $20 and you pay by credit card when you exit. Cash is not accepted, so plan accordingly. If you are attending another event in the Temple Sports Complex on the same day, such as a soccer game, you do not need to pay twice. The $20 will have you covered no matter how long you park, as long as you leave by midnight. The Girard Station on SEPTA's Market-Frankford subway line is also located just around the corner from Howarth Field, giving an easy opportunity to arrive by public transit. Restrooms are available in a building in between the field hockey and soccer fields, although as numerous signs tell you, you will enter the restrooms from outside the building and are not allowed in the building itself through the main doors. They are of a more than sufficient size for the crowd, even if it gets large. Return on Investment 4 Admission to all Temple field hockey games is free, with the possible exception of Big East and NCAA Tournament games. However, if you arrive by car, you will pay $20 for parking, which is a bit much. That being said, with such a great atmosphere here, and the tremendous energy of the crowd, a Temple field hockey game is still a pretty good value. You can maximize your value even more by attending a soccer game in the complex on the same day at no additional cost. . Extras 4 The band is worth an extra star here even if they're not at every game. Look for the banners honoring Temple field hockey and lacrosse successes. The pregame hype video is worth a star as well. Most field hockey teams don't even have a video board, let alone a hype video. A fourth and final star for the chance to see multiple events in the Temple Sports Complex in one day. Final Thoughts One might not expect college field hockey to be a big deal, but in the case of the Temple Owls, they would be wrong. It is obvious the school puts a great deal of effort into the matchday experience here, and it shows in the turnout. Between the band, the tailgating scene, the fans, and everything else that is going on here, Howarth Field is one of the elite field hockey experiences in the country. As the seasoned stadium traveler will know, great experiences can be found in unexpected places, and Howarth Field is certainly one of them.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Gaughan Group Stadium Brisbane Rd. London E510 5NF Leyton Orient FC website Gaughan Group Stadium website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 9,271 Leyton Orient: Passion, Unity & Determination Leyton Orient FC is London’s second oldest football club, established in 1881 and competing in various leagues. They wear red, which symbolizes the passion, unity, and determination. The same can be said for their home, officially known as the Gaughan Group Stadium for sponsorship reasons. The O’s, as they are affectionately known, began play as Orient FC and was founded by members of the Homerton Theological College who had earlier formed a cricket club. During the winter months, they switched to football and, by 1898, adopted the name Orient since many members were involved in the Orient shipping line.  The club played at various stadiums before settling in at Brisbane Road in 1937. They have remained at the stadium since, but all four stands have been renovated since moving the old Mitcham Greyhound Stadium stand in 1955. It is now known as the Old Main East Stand, features the team name on its gable, and is used by home and away supporters. The Tommy Johnston Stand (South) Stand opened in 1999 and was named after the club’s all-time leading scorer. It has seats for 1,336 spectators and is a few feet above the pitch. The Justin Edinburgh (West) Stand opened in 2005 and seats 2,872 people. It is a tall and vertical structure and houses the team offices. The North End Stand was completed in 2007 and seats 1,351 people. Food & Beverage 4 On the day of our visit, the two concession stands at the corner of the West Stand were operating. The small area has quite a selection of items, from nachos, hot dogs, pies, ciders, and lagers. The options are few, but they are served hot and made with natural ingredients. An assortment of pies includes steak and kidney, chicken bāltī , chicken and mushroom, Tuscan bean, cheese, onion and potato, and pork sausage rolls. They are all homemade and minced meat pies served with double mash and covered with parsley sauce.  A pie and double mash costs £6.25 Nachos and hot dogs are served plain or with beef chili, nacho cheese, or both. All hot dogs are 100 percent beef and larger than ones at ballparks in the United States.  Snacks such as chocolate bars (Kit Kat, Snickers, and Twix), Pringles, sweet popcorn, and candy floss are available.` The Stadium Journey recommendation is the pie and double mash. It is priced at £6.25 ($8.15 US/$11.24 CAN). It is London comfort food and perfect for the cold fall days of the English Football League. Top it off with a dab of malt vinegar, or trade in the minced meat pie for one of the other varieties. Atmosphere 3 The game that we attended was a midweek Bristol Street Motors Trophy match. A midweek knockout cup competition in which EFL League One and League Two, plus an additional 16 invited sides from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs with Category One Academies. Only the west stand was open for fans, while the east stand was designated for the away team supporters. This was not the ordinary match for The O’s, but one underneath the floodlights. Fans for the game entered through either Gate 7 or 8 and made their way to their seats under the protective roof. Many grabbed a pre-game bite or drink in the two concession areas at the stand before heading to the seating before kickoff.   The club has two mascots, Theo and Cleo, who entertain fans, young and old, before the game and celebrate goals with them if applicable. Inspired by the club’s crest, the two wyverns first appeared during the 2000-2001 season.  Despite one stand being opening, while the east side stand was strictly for away fans, there was energy in the building. The supporters constantly encouraged the players every chance they had to score. When one goal finally got through, several fans rushed near the end line to hug and celebrate with one of the mascots.  Neighborhood 4 The Leyton neighborhood is in South London and is going through gentrification, with young professionals moving into the area. According to the Leyton Area Guide, “With the lively cafes on Francis Road, the bustling High Road, the family-friendly footie action and easy access to the Olympic Park, Leyton can often feel like a city within a city.” Francis Road is hopping with cafes, delis, shops, restaurants, and other curiosities that should entertain onlookers and guests before and after a match. Burnt is a smokehouse specializing in ribs and brisket. Bamboo Matt offers a South American twist on Japanese classics. Yardarm is a deli on one side and a wine bar on the other. Bread & Oregano offers traditional Greek street food. There are a few pubs to visit, including the Gravity Well Taproom, offering signature craft beer, vegan cuisine, and occasional kitchen residencies. William the Fourth Houses offers sports screens, a beer garden, and kitchen residences. Finally, The Leyton Star provides a chilled atmosphere for a pint and includes burgers and a game room. There are pubs for pre-game beer, including the Coach and Horses and Lion and Key. Fans 3 The O’s averaged 8,116 people last season in League One, the club's highest in 30 years. The support is solid at around 5,000 this century, with most based in east London. The Leyton Orient Supporters Club and the Leyton Orient Fans Trust are the two supporters groups at matches. The team has a rich history and a passionate fan base for London’s second-oldest club.  Fans provide constant encouragement to the players on the pitch. The O’s had a chance to score a goal. There were more “ohs” than “O’s” during the match, but it erupted when a goal was made. The same could be said for penalties and free kicks that the supporters felt didn’t go their way. Matches against its rivals, West Ham United, might bring out more revelry. Access 3 There is no public parking at the stadium, and permit parking is available on the residential streets. It is advisable to take public transportation; thankfully, there are plenty of options to Brisbane Road. The London Underground is a 10-minute walk along the Central Line. The London Overground is a 15-minute walk from the stadium. Bus 58, 69, 97, and 158 run near the stadium.  The stadium is separated into four different stands designated on your ticket stub. You must enter the proper section for admittance. There are nine entrances, including two exits (way outs) for away fans in the East Stand. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a ticket depends on the stand you are sitting in for the game. The cheapest adult ticket is £27-£33 for the North Stand, but the prices go up from £30-£37 for the West Stand. The prices are lower for seniors (concessions) and kids under 18, who gain admission for as low as £11 in the East or North Stands. Food prices are extremely reasonable. A pie and two mash costs £6.20, a pie by itself is £4.50, and a pint of beer is £5.80. Nachos and hot dogs start at £3.80 and £5.20 each. The team shop is open only before or after the match, with kits selling for £52.99 and team caps at £12.99. Extras 4 Leyton Orient scores additional points, which includes serving an array of  English football staples of pies, mash, and sausage rolls. The two mascots bring a nice touch to the match. They celebrate with fans in the stands. The stadium itself is a classic English football ground with tons of history. Lastly, the supporters' group was welcoming after the game in their club area. Final Thoughts There have been many changes with Orient since the new ownership arrived in 2017. The club had just been relegated to the Northern League, ending a 112-year stay in the EFL. Since then, the club won the Northern League title in 2019 and then the League Two title in 2024. The plan is to move higher, and it should be a fun ride to watch as the team continues its march. ------ Follow Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Calgary is once again abuzz with talks of a new arena for their major sports teams. Scotiabank Saddledome, Photo by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey As announced on April 25 , the province of Alberta has entered an agreement in principle with the City of Calgary and the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) to build a replacement for the 40-year-old Scotiabank Saddledome, as well as redeveloping the surrounding neighborhood. The price tag for this iteration of the arena is currently set at $1.22 billion. The announcement was made just days before the official start to a provincial election, making the timing of the press conference immediately a hot button topic in Calgary, the city where voting will most likely decide which party takes over when the polls close on May 29. This will be the third attempt at building a new facility and this one might have even more political baggage than either of the previous proposals. Politics and power have been at the heart of the arena deal since the first one was proposed almost a decade ago and, with each passing year, each successive failure to get the place built, and each cost increase, the stakes get higher. In fact, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith seemed to be suggesting that provincial money was tied to the results of the upcoming election, when she said, “on May 29, I’m hoping Calgarians give our [United Conservative Party] government a clear mandate to proceed with this arena deal.” So who are the key players in this arena deal and how did we get here? The CSEC are the owners of many of the major sports franchises in the city—the Calgary Flames (NHL), Hitmen (WHL), Wranglers (AHL), Roughnecks (NLL) and Stampeders (CFL). With all those teams, the organization wields a significant amount of clout in the Calgary entertainment industry. Further, all but the Stampeders play under the same roof, in the Saddledome, making them extremely motivated to get a new rink built. Calgary’s city council over the last number of years has been a mix of progressive and conservative elements who all agree that a new arena would be nice, but only if it makes financial sense to the city and not just to the CSEC. The provincial government has, for the most part, stayed at arm’s length in this conversation. In 2015, the New Democratic Party swept to power, defeating the incumbent Progressive Conservative Party, marking the first time since 1971 that a party other than the PCs had been elected. The NDP, led by Rachel Notley have a far more politically centrist agenda, with a greater focus on social issues and climate change, and were only able to hold power for four years. In 2019 the UCP, a new conservative party which is an amalgamation of the PC Party and the more radically conservative Wildrose Party, defeated the NDP, pushing an aggressively right wing platform. Through all of this, the province has stayed away from the bargaining table, leaving it to the city and the CSEC to reach an agreement. There is one other invested group that hasn’t really had any power in the negotiations, and that’s Calgary’s residents. There is a push among sports fans in the city to get a new arena built—particularly since Rogers Place opened in Edmonton, Alberta’s capital and Calgary’s chief rival in… everything—but many citizens have seen spending tax dollars on a facility for a giant corporation run by billionaires as a bad idea, so feelings have been and continue to remain mixed on the topic. And that brings us to the saga of replacing the Saddledome. Chatter about keeping up with Edmonton began in earnest once construction began on Rogers Place, with the City of Calgary caught between cries for fiscal responsibility in the face of increasing property taxes and an aging piece of infrastructure in the Saddledome, which simply does not compare to the shiny new rink the rival Edmonton Oilers now occupy. Calgary has consistently leveraged their need to provide value to its citizens, while the CSEC has maintained that they cannot remain viable by having an NHL franchise inhabit a nearly 40-year-old arena. In 2015 the CSEC came out with an ambitious project called CalgaryNEXT. They proposed a new multi-purpose facility which would replace both the Scotiabank Saddledome and McMahon Stadium, two stadiums that are both old and no longer up to the standards fans in the 21st Century expect. The building would house an arena for the Flames, Roughnecks and Hitmen to play in as well as a football field for the Stampeders. This facility would be situated on an underutilized piece of land to the west of Calgary’s downtown where a lumber yard once stood a century earlier. City Council quickly said no to this proposal. Calgary’s economy had suffered a massive blow in late 2014 when the oil industry collapsed, resulting in widespread layoffs and business closures, and there simply wasn’t an appetite for such an ambitious—and expensive—project. Noted Mayor Naheed Nenshi at the time, “There are very significant requirements for public funding beyond the fieldhouse funding, and there is currently no money.” The fact that site remediation to decontaminate the proposed location (the former lumber yard had left the area soaked in creosote and other toxins, all of which would need to be cleaned up before construction could begin) might cost more than the building itself was also a big factor in the quick dismissal of this project. Two years later, in 2017, the City and the CSEC began negotiations on an arena to be located next to the Saddledome, to the south-east of downtown. The talks eventually led to a deal in the summer of 2019. Unlike the previous proposal, this would strictly be an arena, with the football stadium/fieldhouse remaining an outstanding challenge to be resolved in the future. This new deal was not without controversy , being approved amidst the ongoing economic downturn and significant belt-tightening in the City budget. A number of Calgary citizens found the timing of deciding to go forward on a $550 million project like this to be problematic. The agreement to build this facility was inked in 2019, with a $550 million price tag that the City and the CSEC agreed to split. Then in July, 2021. the agreement was revised, along with a bulked-up $608 million cost. And the price continued to grow; per The Calgary Herald , the price had climbed to $630 million over the next few months. But the last one-to-two percent of costs, which the CSEC had initially agreed to pay for, were apparently a key sticking point, and more than the organization was prepared to fund. In the first week of January, 2022, the City and the CSEC chose not to renew their deal and, once again, the new arena project was dead. News of that deal collapsing generated mixed feelings, not surprisingly. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, leader of the UCP, placed the blame for the failure of the arena deal squarely at the feet of newly elected Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. Mayor Gondek quickly responded, saying, “If the premier is unaware of the process of how a land development project gets to the development permit process, I’d be happy to discuss it with him.” And that brings us to the present. Negotiations between the City and the CSEC have continued behind closed doors since the collapse of the last deal, and apparently at some point the province got involved, promising to add additional funds to redevelop the neighbourhood surrounding the new arena, in much the same way as the Ice District has grown up around Rogers Place in Edmonton. The total price tag for this project has ballooned to roughly twice as much as the 2019 deal, with the City’s contribution also doubling while the CSEC portion has only grown modestly (to $356 million) and will be repaid over a 35-year period. And then there’s the province’s $330 million contribution. It should be noted the Calgary’s City Council unanimously approved of the deal prior to the announcement and in spite of the much larger cost to the city. This is a surprising turn of events in a council notorious for rarely seeing eye-to-eye on spending bills. Making things more complicated, the details of the deal have not been released and won’t be until the weeks after the election. Consequently, the NDP’s Notley has refused to commit to following through on the deal—if they can’t see the specifics, they won’t just agree to it. Per Global News , Notley said, “All I’m doing on that issue is taking a very cautious and conservative approach that I think most Calgarians and Albertans would expect us to do to find out who’s on the hook for what kinds of elements in this plan and then make our decision.” Smith, who replaced Kenney as Premier last October, has used this reluctance to argue that Notley is against the deal and, by extension, against the interests of Calgarians. Per the Winnipeg Sun , Smith said, “Let me be perfectly clear with Calgarians. If the UCP wins the next election we will be moving ahead proudly with this deal. I guess we now know the NDP would not.” And why is this whole conversation so important to this election? Both the UCP and NDP have large areas where they can count on voter support. For the UCP, it’s the rural areas, who have consistently voted conservative for generations and which account for roughly half of the seats in the legislature. For the NDP, their stronghold is Edmonton, which is a more liberal, union-friendly environment that is more receptive to progressive ideas, with about a quarter of the seats. And Calgary remains somewhere in the middle, with a mix of conservative and liberal elements. Calgary, like Edmonton, controls about a quarter of the seats in the provincial government. So the party that wins the May 29 election will be the one that wins Calgary’s seats in the provincial legislature. Some financial concerns have shifted in the past year. The big increase in the price of crude oil that happened in 2022 has resulted in a significant injection of cash into Calgary’s oil and gas head offices and created a $12 billion tax surplus for the provincial government. In the past several months, Smith has been throwing around a bunch of that surplus as part of the pre-election campaign, promising millions of dollars of investment into various sectors. With Calgary expected to be the battleground where the election will be decided, it’s no surprise that the UCP have chipped in a bunch of money to a hot-button issue, in an attempt to sway voters. But that might have backfired. According to the Calgary Herald , only 43 per cent of people polled on the deal were in favour of the province contributing to it, while 50 per cent were opposed. The polling was even more lopsided in Edmonton where 61 per cent were opposed. So this move might actually cost the UCP votes. Moreover, that same Herald article notes that Smith was on record as being opposed to using taxpayer money to fund pro sports venues a decade ago, so some are calling into question her sudden shift in opinion right before an election where that money might buy them extra support in a critical battleground. So where does this leave everything? The next critical date is May 29, when the election votes are tabulated and we know who will be running Alberta for the next four years. If it’s the UCP, it seems likely that the arena will proceed (although the price of crude oil has been sinking, which may force them to start reneging on promised big ticket items). If the NDP win, they may or may not take a look at the details of the deal and approve of it—we won’t know for several weeks. One thing is for certain: the saga of Calgary’s new arena is far from over. McMahon Stadium, Photo by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 W. B. Adams Stadium 445 State Rte 602 Ferrum, VA 24088 Ferrum Panthers website W. B. Adams Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 5,500 Small Town Football W. B. Adams Stadium opened in 1960 and seats 5,500 fans. The venue is used as the home field for Ferrum College’s football and lacrosse teams. The Ferrum Panthers football team currently competes in the NCAA’s Division III, where they are a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Food & Beverage 3 W. B. Adams Stadium has two concessions stands, one on each side of the field – the main location is under the home stands, while the concessions stand at the baseball stadium (behind the football field’s end zone) is open for fans sitting on the visiting side. The same items are sold at both locations, however, and the baseball stadium stand has shorter lines, so it is worth it to make the short walk to the other side. On offer are burgers, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, candy, Gatorade, bottled Pepsi products, and bottled water. Prices are phenomenal with the most expensive item being only 3.75 (cheeseburger); nachos with chili are only $3, candy is only $1.25, and bottled water is only $1.50. Atmosphere 3 W. B. Adams Stadium seats 5,500 fans, which is on par with other football facilities at the D3 level. There is a good bit of crowd noise from the fans, and the cheerleaders are on hand to keep the fans in the game, waving gold pom-poms which sparkle a little in the sunshine. I did not see a mascot roaming the sidelines, and the scoreboard is static (meaning there is no video to watch replays), but on the plus side you can get really close to the action here, and there is plenty of energy on the home side despite a losing record this season. Ferrum’s baseball stadium is visible from the home stands (to the right of the visitor bleachers), and there are also plenty of trees around one end of the field. Most of the seats are metal bleachers (both on the home side and on the visiting side), but there is a small section of plastic chairback seats in the upper middle section of the home side. Neighborhood 2 W. B. Adams Stadium is surrounded by Ferrum College’s other athletic facilities, including the football practice field, practice soccer field, baseball stadium, wrestling center, basketball arena, etc. Like many small colleges and universities, athletics drives enrollment at this 1000-student institution, and as such Ferrum boasts 11 men’s sports and 14 women’s sports. Other than that there is very little near the stadium, or in town for that matter – there is of course a post office and gas station downtown, as well as a Dollar General and a few fast food joints, but to find much more in the way of shopping and dining you will have to drive about 10 miles west to Henry’s Fork, along Highway 220. Fans 3 Despite a losing record on the field of late, there are still plenty of fans here cheering on their Ferrum Panthers. The stands aren’t full by any means, but there are a good number of fans sitting on the home side, with a few sitting on top of the hill watching from blankets and folding chairs. There is plenty of Ferrum gear to be seen, which is also sold at the stadium; all items are half price during the last home game of the season. Access 3 Ferrum, Virginia is located about half an hour north of Martinsville and about half an hour south of Roanoke, in a rural part of eastern Virginia. Getting here will likely require you to drive along some winding roads through some hills, but once you arrive there is plenty of parking within a short walk of the venue, and there is plenty of room to move around the concourse. The restrooms are located in a separate building about 100 feet from the main concourse (home side), or if you are sitting on the visiting side you can use the restrooms in the baseball stadium (which is located behind the end zone). The cost to park right behind the home grandstand (Black Helmet Club) is $250 for the season, but you can park for free on campus, which is just a short soccer-field’s-width walk away from the football field. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to W. B. Adams Stadium for football games is only $10 per person, which is on the cheap side compared to other similarly-sized sports venues. This is a pretty good return on investment given the free parking, low-cost concessions, and how close you can get to the action on the field, not to mention the solid energy from the crowd, with lots of yelling, cheering, and the occasional cow bell in support of the Black and Gold. Extras 2 The Panthers host some special events at some games, for example Black Hat Day, a nod to the school’s boosters (who are named the Black Helmet Club). The staff also plays some great music throughout the game. Final Thoughts Being a D3 football stadium, this is obviously a different experience than some of the Power 5 contests you may have been to, but if you are in the area, W. B. Adams is definitely worth a visit. Go, Panthers!

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Ting Stadium 1151 N Main Street Holly Springs, NC 27540 Holly Springs Salamanders website Ting Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 1,800 Salamanders Find A Perfect Home in The Springs With teams in Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, the Coastal Plain League is one of the most well-known summer collegiate baseball leagues. One team in the CPL is the Holly Springs Salamanders, located in Holly Springs, North Carolina, in between Raleigh and Durham. The Salamanders joined the league in 2015 and play their home games in Ting Stadium, an 1,800-seat ballpark. Unlike many venues in this league which are former minor league venues, Ting Stadium was built specifically for the Salamanders when they arrived in 2015. Ting Stadium is located in the similarly named Ting Park, which also includes tennis courts and soccer fields, among other amenities. Food & Beverage 3 There is one main concession stand at Ting Stadium as well as several smaller stands. Meal options at the main stand include chicken tenders ($6), cheeseburgers ($6.50), bratwurst ($5.50), hot dogs ($3.50), and nachos ($6). Fries, popcorn, pretzels, peanuts, cracker jacks, and chips are also available for a few dollars, and water, soft drinks, and Gatorade range in price from $3.50 to $5.50. There are also several other stands throughout the concourse, including one selling beer for between $6 and $13 depending on what you get, and another which sells freshly made smoothies. The lines at the main stand can get quite long during the game, so we recommend getting your food early on to avoid a lengthy wait. Fans who purchase the all-you-can-eat option (more on that later) can get their food at a separate table by showing their wristbands. Overall, the concession stands at Ting Stadium is somewhat average, although there are some additional options for fans looking for something unique. Note that at the time of our visit, concession stands were only accepting credit cards. Cash was not accepted. It is unclear if this will be a permanent change or just for the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but come prepared just in case. Atmosphere 5 Ting Stadium is a beautiful, small, intimate stadium. With 1,800 chairback seats, there is not a bad seat in the house. The seats located behind home plate are under cover, with seats further down the line that are not. Keep that in mind if you visit on a hot summer night. There is an open concourse above the seating bowl where fans come in and a large scoreboard is located in left-center field. The scoreboard is pretty impressive for this level, showing player stats and information as well as information on between innings contests. The Salamanders have a mascot named Sal, who rather unsurprisingly is a salamander. Sal can be found on the field and in the stands throughout the game, interacting with fans. Sometimes he will bring his mascot friends from other teams and businesses in the area to the game but on many nights, it’s just Sal. Sal the Salamander, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey The team also keeps fans engaged between innings with on-field contests, t-shirt tosses, and so on. This tends to keep the fans involved throughout the game. Between the action on the field and everything else going on, the Salamanders really put on a good show at a very nice stadium. Neighborhood 3 Ting Stadium is located within a local park, so fans with small kids may want to take advantage of the playground or other amenities there. Beyond that, across Route 58 are several businesses, including Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, a popular regional chain, and Mi Cancun, a popular Mexican restaurant. While Holly Springs doesn’t have the excitement of the nearby cities of Raleigh and Durham, you’re hardly in the middle of nowhere here either. My Way Tavern is also a short drive down Main Street (Route 55), as is the Bombshell Beer Company, a local brewery. Fans need not head into Raleigh or Durham to find things to do, although they will likely find more options there should they choose to make the short trip. Fans 5 Salamanders fans pack Ting Stadium night in and night out to cheer on their team. Although the Salamanders are still a relatively new franchise, they have built up a large and passionate fan base. Most of the fans in attendance stayed until the end of the game even as the score turned into a blowout, continuing to support their team to the very end. Given the vicinity of many of the teams in the CPL, you will often find some fans of the visiting team as well. These fans should not encounter any problems with the home fans but should expect to be in the small minority given how many Holly Springs fans turn up. The fans include people of all ages. While there are no real “long-time” fans due to the team being only six years old, it feels like many of these fans have been around the team a while. If they can build this kind of fan base in only a few years, it will be all the more impressive once they have been around for longer. Access 3 Ting Stadium is located a short drive from several major roads. U.S. Route 64, U.S. Route 1, and North Carolina Route 540 (Triangle Expressway, a toll road) all provide easy access to the ballpark. Once you arrive, parking is free in a large lot by the stadium. However, once you park, it is not entirely clear how to get into the stadium. Fans will need to walk alongside the stadium down the left field line in between the ballpark and the soccer fields to get to the stadium, but there are no signs indicating this is the way to the entrance. Fans just have to either know how to get there or figure it out on their own. Once in the stadium, it is easy enough to get around. The concourse is wide and the restrooms are large. The restrooms are located in an indoor alcove where fans can wait for their spouses/kids/friends while they use the restroom if necessary. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are $9 in uncovered sections or $10 in covered sections if you want to sit in the shade. Given how hot it can get here during the summer, we recommend spending the extra dollar to sit under cover. For just $10 extra, fans can add on an all-you-can-eat option, which gets them unlimited burgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, and more through the middle of the eighth inning. This can further increase the value depending on how much you plan on eating at the game. If you get a burger, a soda, and a bottle of water, the all-you-can-eat will have paid for itself. Standalone tickets are a great value as well if you don’t plan on eating much. For an environment that can rival many minor league parks, in a small, intimate stadium, a trip to a Salamanders game is a great value, whether for the seasoned baseball traveler, a couple, a group of friends, or a whole family. Extras 3 There is a team store on the concourse which sells Salamanders gear. A second star for the many unique vantage points throughout the stadium including a walkway in right field and a picnic area down the line as well. A third and final star for all the friendly and helpful staff here. Final Thoughts Experiences at collegiate summer games vary wildly depending on what league it is, and even within leagues. That being said, Ting Stadium is one of the nicest stadiums in one of the top collegiate summer leagues in the country. While this part of North Carolina has so many baseball options to offer, a Salamanders game is still well worth checking out. The experience here can rival or exceed that of many minor league parks in the area, at very affordable prices. Fans visiting the area should be sure to make time to check out a Salamanders game while they are here.

Photos by Gregory Koch Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium 1001 E Cork Street Winchester, VA 22601 Shenandoah Hornets website Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 1,500 Oh Shenandoah! Located in Winchester, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, Shenandoah University's athletic teams are known as the Hornets and compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The Hornets' baseball team has enjoyed much success recently, winning four ODAC titles in nine seasons and regularly being ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Hornets call Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium their home field. Although the stadium has been operated by the university since 2020, it is located just off campus in Jim Barnett Park, a city park that also includes several other fields. The same agreement that gave Shenandoah control of this field also gave them control of several others in the park, including Rotary Park next door, which is home to the Hornets' softball team. After taking control of the stadium, Shenandoah made several renovations including a new turf playing surface, a new scoreboard, and enhancements to the press box and clubhouses. In late 2022, the stadium was renamed from Bridgeforth Field to its current name to honor longtime Hornets coach Kevin Anderson. As of the start of the 2023 season, Anderson is still the Hornets' coach, making him one of the few coaches to lead his team in a stadium that bears his name. During the summer, the stadium is home to the Winchester Royals, a collegiate summer league team in the Valley Baseball League. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand at Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium, operating out of a window behind home plate under the press box. The menu here is pretty limited but at least prices are OK. Popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, and soft pretzels are all $5 (the pretzel comes with free cheese if you want it), while chips and candy are $2. Bottled drinks are $3 while canned drinks are $2. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are all available for $2 on cold days. Both cash and credit cards are accepted at the stand. Atmosphere 3 There are several sets of bleachers surrounding the field at Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium. The ones directly behind home plate have backs while the ones on the sides do not. Wherever you sit, you will have a great view of the action. Music plays over the PA system before the game and between batters, although the pregame music is actually just a local radio station, which is apparent by the periodic breaks for DJs to read promos or the station to run advertisements. During the game, there is really not much going on other than the game itself. This is typical for the Division III level. The players and fans do create an excellent energy during games, but we will touch more on that later in the review. Neighborhood 3 Winchester is a small city located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. There are a number of restaurants located near the stadium, ranging from sports bars to barbecue to homemade ice cream. Since Bridgeforth Field is located near the highway, pretty much everything in Winchester is right there. While Winchester certainly isn’t a bustling city, it does have that small-town charm. History buffs may also want to visit the many Civil War sites in and around Winchester, which played a major role in the conflict. The city changed hands 72 times during the war and was known as the Shuttlecock of the Confederacy. Fans 5 Shenandoah averages about 300 fans a game and will regularly draw more for weekend games. While this may not seem like much compared to some Division I schools, they led Division III in total attendance last season and ranked sixth in average attendance. As far as Division III fan bases go, this is one of the best in the country, if not the best. The fans show up early, many of them decked in Hornets gear, and cheer on their team. There is a good mix of friends and family of the players and locals. Even though the stadium is located just off campus, a good number of students make the short walk over here as well. Unfortunately, most students do not have the same level as engagement as the other fans, but at least they show up, which doesn't always happen at schools in this region even at the Division I level. For the most part, the fans are passionate and fervent and help make a Hornets game an exciting experience. While it's not comparable to a crowd at the top Division I schools, for Division III, they are top notch. Access 4 The nearest highway to Bridgeforth Field is Interstate 81, and it is easily accessible via Exit 313A. Fans coming from the east or west will need to take State Route 7 or U.S. Route 50 at least part of the way, and while these are not highways, you can usually make good time. Once you get to the stadium, there is parking available in a lot right next to it. If this fills up, there is parking available elsewhere in Jim Barnett Park as well. All parking is free. Keep in mind the rows of the lot closest to the stadium are within foul ball territory. Park there at your own risk. Restrooms are available next to the concession stand and while there may be a small line at times, especially between games of a doubleheader, you should not have to wait too long. The concession stand can move slowly at times as well. One thing to keep in mind is that the only way to buy tickets for the game is to use an app called Ticket Spicket and display the ticket on the app as you enter so they can use it to check you in. There is no way to add the ticket to your Apple Wallet as they need to interact with the app, so you'd better hope you have a strong cell signal. Although mobile tickets are pretty standard today and do not hurt this score, these are more difficult to use than most. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Hornets games is just $6 with youth getting in for $4. SU students and staff get in for free by showing their ID cards. Although many Division III schools have free admission, this is one of the top experience at this level so it is hard to complain about the small price. Concessions are affordable as well, making this a very good value for fans. . Extras 3 Look for the banners on the outfield fence honoring Shenandoah baseball achievements, the plaque behind home plate honoring the Bridgeforth family and their contributions to the stadium, and the whiteboard near the plaque with shows the starting lineups and upcoming Hornets' games. Each of these are worth an individual star. Final Thoughts Although Division III is the lowest level of NCAA baseball, Shenandoah University has managed to put on a top-notch experience at Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium. While it is certainly not comparable to what you'd see at many Division I stadiums, it is one of the best in the country at this level. The fan base is top-notch, the recently-renovated stadium is gorgeous, at least for this level, and the program has managed to perform on the field in recent years. A trip to Winchester to see a Shenandoah baseball game may be a trek for some, but it is an experience not to be overlooked despite the lower level.

Photos by Conrad Klank, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Lindner Family Tennis Center 5460 Courseview Dr Mason, OH 45040 W&S Open website Lindner Family Tennis Center website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 11,435 Tennis in the Midwest The Lindner Family Tennis Center is the home of The Western and Southern Open: ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Tier 5 combined event, located in the quaint northern Cincinnati suburb of Mason, Ohio. The event is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States, which is still being played in its original city. This historic tennis tournament occupies the middle two weeks of August each year on the ATP and WTA Tour calendars. The grounds of the tournament, which are located just a stones throw off of Interstate 71, now feature 5 tennis dedicated permanent stadiums, which is the only non-grand slam event with more than 3 permanent tennis stadiums. In addition to the impressive stadiums on site, the property also includes 5 other match courts, 6 practice courts, a full food court, 18 luxury suites, 6 corporate chalets, a grand shopping plaza, a full service private restaurant, a full upper level bar and lounge, a brand new ticket office and front entrance complex and 4 large designated on-site parking areas. Center court, the largest stadium in the facility, which has been renovated numerous times throughout the history of the tournament, features 11,400-ticketed seats. The second largest stadium in the complex, grandstand court, seats 5,000 with about three quarters of the seats being public seating. Next, the brand new court 3 comfortably seats 3,500. Courts 4 and 9 are also small stadiums on site, which seat 2,500 and 2,000 respectively. Lastly, court 10 seats just over 1,000. This tournament has successfully transformed itself from a wonderful small and personal professional tournament to an impressive miniature grand slam event located in a small city setting. Read on to find out what goes into making this an astonishing event. Food & Beverage 5 It has been said that one can find literally anything to eat or drink that tickles their fancy; from my experiences, that statement is completely accurate. The food village at the event features 14 unique local and national chain restaurants from every style of food from around the world. Additionally, there are three concession stands conveniently located in the corners on the ground floor of center court. These stands feature the expected stadium fare found at ordinary sporting events, and are top notch. If one is looking to grab a quick snack and drink during a break in play, their best bet would be to get a quick fire-grilled pretzel and homemade lemonade from the carts spread out all over the grounds, these are a personal recommendation. When you're ready for an alcoholic drink, there are numerous unique places, which come highly recommended, each for a slightly different experience. The first being the Corona Beach House, located in the center of the food plaza, is ideal to grab an ice cold beer and enjoy the festivities. Another is a secluded bar, located on the exterior second level in the southeast corner of center court. This is a wonderful shaded full bar and lounge with a large area to relax and meet up with friends. Each year, creative specialty mixed drinks are crafted to please the tastes of tennis fans. One would be hard pressed not to find lots of tasty food and drinks all over the grounds. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere at this tournament is spectacular year after year. Fans travel from all over the world to support their favorite players, which creates a very unique experience. One will find the best atmosphere in some of the smaller match courts, where highly seeded players will draw large crowds to the small, romantic courts for an up close and personal view of the game's biggest stars in action. Most of the sessions of the two-week tournament will sell out, therefore creating a wonderful atmosphere of loud but respectful tennis fans. Be sure to get your tickets early. One thing that always creates a fun buzz is the speed serve booth. For a nominal fee fans get the chance to test out their serving skills against a speedometer for a daily and weekly prize for the best in each age category. There are sure to be great crowds that gather to see some future tennis stars in action. Neighborhood 4 While there aren't a ton of great local joints nearby for a bite before or after the action on the tennis courts, there is lots of other nearby entertainment. If you haven't gotten your fill of Skyline Chili at the tournament, take a right out of the tournament and grab a Cheese Coney and watch some baseball at the local favorite right around the corner. Just opposite the tournament site on the other side of I-71 is Kings Island Amusement Park. This is a regionally renowned park, which features some of the fastest, highest, and scariest rides around. Often, tournament players are spotted on the ground of Kings Island as well. If you're in town on a hot day, you may prefer to visit the Beach Waterpark, which is easily spotted just off of the highway at the same exit as well. Just adjacent to Kings Island and the Beach are two highly recommended hotels: The Kings Island Resort and The Great Wolf Lodge. These are the two most convenient lodging options. Additionally, just a mile south of the tournament site on I-71, the Fields Ertel exit provides numerous chain restaurants as well as plenty of hotel options. This would be the recommended area to stay or eat due to more reasonable pricing. Fans 4 As mentioned before, the fans who turn out for the tournament each year are extremely enthusiastic international tennis aficionados. It is not uncommon to see plenty of creative costumes and outfits to publically show their support for their favorite players no matter their origin. Flags, signs, and large autograph tennis balls have become the norm of the tennis fanatics. In addition to the tennis obsessives, there are plenty of affluent recreational tennis players who enjoy some of the amenities that the tournament offers. Access 5 The access in and out of the tournament is completely and flawlessly planned out to the last detail. The parking committee does a fantastic job of keeping traffic moving in and out of the respective lots. There are four lots located on the golf course, which surrounds the tennis complex. Lot A and B require special permits as well as the Volunteer lot. Lot C is a free lot, open to the general public. When exiting the highway, be sure to keep a lookout for signs directing traffic to the respective parking lots. The brand new ticket office, located on the north end of the complex provides a refreshingly easy in and out of a previously inconvenient ticketing experience. Once inside the tournament grounds, one will find it to be an extremely enjoyable and easy complex to move around in. Additionally, while restrooms are plentiful, between matches it's not uncommon for lines to form, but this is to be expected and doesn't deserve a reduction in score. Return on Investment 4 Typically when looking at ticket prices and their value for general sporting events one will see a pretty strict scale or range depending on the game and which visiting team is in town. With tennis, tickets get pricier not only as the seat gets better, but also as the week progresses towards the finals weekend, thus putting value on different aspects of the week. A personal favorite is to get the lower end tickets at the beginning of the tournament in order to see all of the lower ranked players as well as the higher, as all players are in action. For less avid tennis fans, the second week action may be a little more attractive because the chance to see two highly ranked opponents square off is much greater. Overall, tickets are priced fairly and competitively, and one will enjoy the experience for the amount paid. Likewise with food and drink; nourishment at sporting events is always pricier than what you can find in a grocery store, but this is what you come to expect; you won't go broke after a day on the grounds of the Western & Southern Open. Extras 5 The entertainment options outside of the tournament even in a rural small town deserve an extra point. Being a non grand slam, this tournament has a very impressive collection of match and practice courts. One thing that fans will never find at the grand slams, especially not at the US Open, is that players will often walk around the grounds with their coaches on their way to and from the courts and locker room, which makes for perfect times to get a picture or autograph from one's favorite player. These opportunities are rarely found at the grand slam. Because the complex is surrounded by a golf course, there is ample parking for fans to drive to the tournament unlike others, which require public transportation to the immediate grounds of the tournament. The brand new grand entrance plaza, court 3, and fantastic world-class food court are additions to the facility that give it full marks in this category.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex 915 South Jackson St Montgomery, AL 36104 Alabama State Hornets website Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 600 The Hornet's Nest Alabama State University was founded in 1867. The school is one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the country. It is located in Montgomery, Alabama, and has 5,500 students The main academic programs of the university are Education, Health Sciences and Arts and Sciences, Mathematics & Technology, and Aerospace Science. The athletic teams at Alabama State are known as the Hornets, and they play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). In addition to their SWAC schedule, the Hornets play schools including Yale, during the baseball season. The home of Hornets baseball is the on-campus Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. The facility is named for two longtime coaches for the baseball program, Herbert Wheeler and Larry Watkins. The two led the baseball programs at ASU for more than a 50-year period. They led the school to two SWAC regular season championships and two SWAC tournament championships, along with two appearances in the NCAA baseball playoffs. The facility opened in 2011, bringing baseball back on campus for the first time in 20 years. The stadium holds 600 people. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand serving the baseball complex. It offers a very basic menu of baseball standards, including Pepsi sodas ($3), water ($2.50), hot dogs ($3), and candy ($2). It is located on the back side of the grandstand. There are numerous drive-through restaurants and convenience stores within a block of the baseball park, and you might want to head to one of them before or after a Hornets game for a full meal. Atmosphere 4 Wheeler-Watkins Stadium is located on the southeastern corner of the ASU campus. The site is a great place to enjoy a baseball game on a lovely spring afternoon. The stadium features a field with dimensions of 330LF, 400CF, and 330RF. The complex features the black and gold colors worn by ASU athletic team, and the dugouts, outfield fences, and scoreboards feature the logo and name of the team very dramatically. Each dugout features a photo of one of the two namesakes of the complex on their walls, along with information on their careers. The stadium seating is all seatbacks featuring the gold colors of the school. The seats are directly behind home plate, providing an excellent view of the action on the field. Many fans also bring along their lawn chairs and set them up along the fences between first and third bases and home plate. Wheeler-Watkins Stadium Scoreboard, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 The Wheeler-Watkins Baseball complex is in downtown Montgomery, just south of I-85. Montgomery is the state capital of Alabama, and as such, there are numerous museums and government buildings to visit while in the city. The city also has also played a major role in the Civil Rights movement of the city. Alabama State University is home to the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African Americans. The National Center is located right next door to the ballpark. Just look for the mural depicting the various important dates in Civil Rights history. Other museums in the city that feature a Civil Rights theme are the Rosa Parks Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the Freedom Rides Museum, and the Dexter Parsonage, where Martin Luther King, Jr was the pastor before leading the Civil Rights movement. Restaurants in the area surrounding ASU include Central (featuring a farm-to-table experience), Martha Place (southern comfort food), and the legendary Dreamland BBQ. Beer enthusiasts will want to check out the craft beers at Railyard Brewery. Once minor league baseball season gets underway in April you can get double the baseball action by attending a Montgomery Biscuits game in the evening at Riverwalk Stadium . Fans 3 The fans at Hornets games are very knowledgeable about the players on the team, as Alabama State is a relatively small school. Typically, the highest attendance is the highest for SWAC conference contests. Many of the regulars have no official relationship with the school but come from the residential neighborhoods that ring the school campus. They are a very polite crowd, applauding nice plays no matter whether they are made by the home team or the visitors. They also stay until the last out, even if the game is a blowout. Surprisingly we did not see many students in attendance at the ballgames. This may be because many ASU students are commuter students, and they either go to work, or their homes after classes end. Access 4 Getting to an ASU Hornets game is very easy, as the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex is located just off I-85 as you enter the downtown area of Montgomery. It is easy to identify, as the ASU football stadium practically looms over the freeway. Directions from I-85: Take I-85 to the Mulberry Street exit (Exit 2). Turn left on Mulberry Street. Turn right on West 5th Street. Turn left a Pine Leaf Street. Turn right at Carter Hill Road. Turn right on Grand Street, then right on Jackson Street. The baseball complex will be on your right. Gates at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball, Complex open one hour before the first pitch. Return on Investment 3 An afternoon at a Hornet’s game will not break the bank. Tickets for Hornets games are $8. Parking is free at the lot next to the stadium along the third baseline side of the field. The concession stand prices are very reasonable. Hotels in the downtown areas of Montgomery are around $100 per night. Extras 1 There is a small, elevated seating area just to the left of the right field foul pole called the Hornet’s Nest. It offers a different perspective of the game's action. Final Thoughts The Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex offers a very inexpensive sports experience for baseball fans in the Montgomery area. The ballpark offers an easy location to get to, as it is just off I-85. The Montgomery area offers a wealth of places to see and visit before and after the game. This includes several state museums, as well as several sites related to the Civil Rights movement.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 The Ballpark E. Emerson Cummings Boulevard Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064 The Ballpark website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 5,500 Where The Ballpark Meets The Beach The Old Orchard Beach Surge are one of the four founding teams in the North Country Baseball League, an independent circuit with a backstory much more interesting and complex than most first year leagues can lay claim to. Originally proposed as the East Coast Baseball League, the circuit consisted of six teams, two in Canada, three in the United States, with a travel team to round out the league. Right before the season was to start, the Watertown team pulled out due to questionable finances and failed commitments from league management. The remaining U.S. teams followed suit, and reformed as the NCBL. Three weeks into the season the Newburgh Newts, who were playing their home games at Delano-Hitch Stadium, were evicted from their home park due to non-payment of rent. The Newts became a road team, leaving the NCBL with just two teams that had ballparks to call home. The league has persevered and will crown its first champion early in August of 2015. Several players from the NCBL have signed to higher-level independent leagues over the course of the season. The home of the Surge has a history equally as colorful as the league that calls it home. The Ballpark was built in 1984 to be the home for the AAA Maine Guides, which lasted only five seasons before moving to Moosic, PA . The park was unable to attract another baseball team, and was utilized occasionally as a summer concert venue as it sat mostly dormant. Over the years, the ballpark sat neglected, overgrown with brush, and was falling apart. It became a popular spot for drug use, fires, and vandalism. A lightning strike at the site caused a significant amount of fire damage in 2007. The town of Old Orchard Beach considered plans to sell the land for development, and it was a mainstay on Ballpark Digest’s endangered ballparks list. The tide turned for The Ballpark in 2008, when a volunteer group called the Ball Park Group began to clean up and renovate the ballpark for special events and ballgames. From 2011 to 2014 the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide of the New England Collegiate Baseball League called The Ballpark home. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand at The Ballpark, and it offers a limited menu consisting of hot dogs ($3), burgers ($4.25/$4.75), chicken sandwiches ($5), French fries ($3), and nachos ($3). Fans looking to snack can choose from pretzels ($3), cotton candy ($1), popcorn ($1.50), chips ($1), or candy bars ($1). Bottles of Pepsi products can be bought for $2. Ice cream novelties are available for $2 and $3.25. Really hungry Surge fans can purchase the “Big John” burger with double meat for $6. Fans looking for a more adult alternative can choose from several varieties of beer and wine. The beer garden at The Ballpark has bottles of Coors Light ($4), with bottles of Shipyard Ale going for $5. Glasses of wine are available for $5. Fans looking to purchase Surge gear will be find a limited selection of t-shirts and hats available at the souvenir stand. The Ballpark Concessions, Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 1 Try as you may, there is just no way to create a festive atmosphere when a couple hundred people are scattered in a 5,000 seat concrete stadium. To their credit, the Surge staff do try, with music, games, and promotions throughout the game. The staff are very friendly and genuinely grateful to see the fans that do show up. Between innings games target the kids in the audience, and 50/50 raffles target the adults here. Neighborhood 5 The Ballpark is located in a secluded, wooden area adjacent to the Old Orchard Beach High School and behind the Old Orchard Beach Police and Fire Departments. There is little to see or do in the immediate vicinity of The Ballpark, but that changes in a hurry as you head towards the ocean. About a mile away from The Ballpark is the Palace Playland, the Pier, and other Old Orchard Beach attractions. The area, once one of the largest tourist destinations on the east coast, has been destroyed and rebuilt several times due to hurricanes, fires, and blizzards. The current incarnation of the beachfront is significantly smaller than past versions, but still attracts a great deal of tourist traffic during the summer, particularly from Quebec. It is not uncommon to hear conversations taking place in French during the summer months. The year-round population of Old Orchard Beach is under 9,000, but swells to several times this size during the summer. Interestingly enough, Old Orchard Beach is the closest oceanfront beach to Montreal, explaining the lure of the area to French Canadian tourists. In fact, most shops in the area have signs in their windows proclaiming “ici nous parlons Francais” (we speak French here). Fans 1 Rumor has it that the average attendance for Surge games hovers in the 200-250 range. On the day this writer visited The Ballpark, the crowd totaled just over 100 fans. My visit was on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, perfect weather for the beach and for keeping people away from The Ballpark, so 250 fans per game sounds very reasonable. The team has already cultivated some dedicated superfans, who show up regularly to cheer on the Surge. Most of the crowd at a typical Surge home game consists of families and people with some connection to the team. It’s not a place the casual fan shows up at on a whim. Access 3 Old Orchard Beach is easily accessible via Interstate 95 (Maine Turnpike). Simply take the Interstate 195 exit, which will quickly turn into route 5. The Ballpark is located just off of Route 5 behind the Police and Fire Stations, and next to the high school. Fans seeking alternate methods of transportation to the seaside town will be pleased to know that Amtrak’s Downeaster train stops just feet from the beach during the summer months. From there, The Ballpark is a short cab ride away. Once inside The Ballpark, there is more than enough room to spread out. The concourse is located underneath the grandstand, and is more than large enough to accommodate even the largest Surge crowd. One major drawback of the concourse area is that it isn’t paved or landscaped, so fans with unsteady gait should step carefully. Also, if you can help it, don’t look up. The underside of the seating bowl is not the most attractive view one will come across at a ballpark. Despite the great efforts of the volunteers who have tirelessly worked at renovating The Ballpark, it still has an unfinished feel to it. The concession stands and locker rooms at The Ballpark are built to resemble the pine cabins typically seen in lodges and campgrounds in this area. The bathrooms are new, clean, and more than large enough for any Surge crowd. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Surge games are sold as general admission, with lower bowl seats selling for $8 and upper bowl seats for $5. There is nary an usher in sight at The Ballpark, so fans sit wherever they please. There really isn’t a bad seat in the place. Parking is free in the large lot behind The Ballpark. Concessions are reasonably priced, so a night at The Ballpark will certainly not break the bank. Extras 2 The experience at The Ballpark is a bare bones one, to be sure. The staff are friendly and helpful, which goes a long way towards covering up the shortcomings of the ballpark. Still, ballpark aficionados will undoubtedly enjoy visiting this once endangered field. The locker rooms here are located in a separate building located behind and underneath the seating bowl, meaning that the players have to walk the concourse through the crowd after the game to get to their lockers. It was an autograph hound’s nirvana back in the day, and that tradition continues today. The Surge players were more than accommodating to any children wanting their items signed. Final Thoughts After spending a day at The Ballpark many fans will marvel over the fact that this ballpark was ever considered adequate for AAA baseball. It’s even more unbelievable that Sports Illustrated once called The Ballpark the best ballpark in minor league baseball. It was only used for five seasons before the Guides moved on to the greener pastures of Moosic, PA and the equally unattractive Lackawanna County Stadium. Still, it’s a monumental achievement that it is still standing and in usable condition. Kudos to the volunteers who gave their time, energy, and money to preserve a ballpark that would have easily faded away into history. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Time has run out on the Lexington Counter Clocks. Temerity Baseball and a group of local investors have purchased the baseball club. One of those investors is Alan Stein, who helped bring minor league baseball back to Lexington after a 47-year absence.  “You haven’t heard me say the word Counter Clocks,” Temerity founder and chairman Andy Sandler said in a Lexington Herald-Leader story this week . “While I’m not going to spill the beans, you may start seeing billboards around town that say something along the lines of, ‘It will be legendary.’ Stein is referring to the Legends name, used from 2001-2022 before being replaced almost a year ago by previous owners Nathan and Keri Lyons. The Counter Clocks name was never fully embraced by the public, which was already reeling from being dropped by Major League Baseball as an affiliate in December 2020.  The Clocks name was about the horse racing industry, as explained in a statement released by the team last March. "Kentucky has an edge. A spirit. Once, it was tradition to race horses on the grass, running clockwise. This came from the British. But we raised and raced the finest horses, so we declared our independence. Our horses would race counterclockwise on dirt." Sandler pointed out that without the Lyons purchase of the team, professional baseball might not have been played last season in Lexington. The couple made much-needed renovations to the ballpark.  Stadium Journey saw a new coat of paint on the exterior, new field seats, renovated bathrooms, improvements to concourse lighting and flooring, and remodeling of the taproom and suites during our visit last year. The Clocks name never ticked with the public and was universally panned by many others. The three sets of logos, although I enjoyed the swinging clock, were also shunned by many who yearned for the Legends name to be reinstated. It has not been made official, but all signs appear to be pointing to the former name being reintroduced. Sandler did have this to say about the speculation of the ball club’s new name. “Draw your own conclusions, but don’t make assumptions because that could be many, many things.” Will Lexington return to its legendary roots when the ball club officially announces its new name soon? All that is known is that professional baseball will continue to be played in town and that the clock has struck midnight for the old Counter Clocks name.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 East Field 175 Dix Ave Glens Falls, NY 12801 Glens Falls Dragons website East Field website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 6,000 East Field East Field is a multi-purpose facility which opened in 1980. It has been home to several teams over its 40 years, including the affiliated Glens Falls White Sox, Tigers and Red Birds, the independent Adirondack Lumberjacks and the summer collegiate Glens Falls Golden Eagles. Since 2015, the Glens Falls Dragons of the Perfect Game Collegiate League have called East Field home. For the 2020 season the Independent Collegiate Baseball League was formed to fill the void left behind when the Perfect Game League cancelled its season due to the coronavirus. Four teams will play this year based out of Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam and East Field in Glens Falls. Food & Beverage 2 There is a concession stand tucked in behind the bleachers down the right field line. According to the handwritten menu tacked to the wall, a decent selection of food is served here, including many ballpark favorites. Hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, pizza slices and sausage and pepper sandwiches are listed. Snacks, including chips, popcorn and ice cream treats are available. With many of the items crossed off the menu, it would appear that the menu may vary from night to night depending on the crowd or other factors. For the 2020 season, the Independents offer pizza slices from a nearby Little Caesar’s and bottled beverages for some games. Atmosphere 1 Baseball purists enjoy the atmosphere at many summer collegiate ballparks because the game day presentation is much simpler and more laid back than the all-out assault on the senses found at most professional ballparks today. The atmosphere at East Field fits this description, as it is very laid-back, almost to the point of being bare bones. There is little extraneous noise to distract fans from enjoying the action down on the field. What little noise that does not come from the buzz of the crowd comes in the form of music played between innings on East Field’s excellent sound system. PA announcements are limited to lineup changes and upcoming batters. Since there is no operational scoreboard at East Field, increased game information would be welcome. Neighborhood 3 East Field is located in a mixed-use neighborhood about a mile and a half from downtown Glens Falls, a small city of 14,000 residents about an hour north of Albany. Fans visiting Glens Falls will definitely want to head downtown to find a bite to eat before or after a game at East Field. Aside from a small ice cream shop across the street from the ballpark, there is nothing in the immediate vicinity to attract fans. Now, downtown Glens Falls is another matter entirely. For a city of this size, there are an amazing number of quality choices for visiting fans looking for a place to eat. Craft beer fans should head to Davidson Brothers Brewpub to sample their selection of house brews and American fare, or Cooper’s Cave Ale Company, where you can pair your craft beer selection with homemade ice cream. While walking around the downtown area be sure to check out Downtown City Tavern, known for their pizzas, burgers and ice cream menu, which features a great selection of adult milk shakes. Lodging options nearby include the historic Queensbury Hotel. Cool Insuring Arena, home of the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder, is located right downtown as well. Again, for a small city, there are many things to do here. The Hyde Art Museum, Chapman Historical Museum, the World Awareness Children’s Museum and Saunders Gallery of Fine Art highlight the many offerings. During the summer months the nearby Adirondack Mountains offer countless options for visiting fans. The Adirondacks Welcome Center is located in Glens Falls. Also located a short drive from Glens Falls is the Saratoga Race Course and Saratoga National Historic Park. Lake George, a popular summer vacation destination, is located nearby. Fans 3 The Dragons average around 1,000 fans per night at East Field. This places the team in the upper third of the Perfect Game League attendance rankings. As you would expect, the crowd is a mix of locals, families looking for an affordable night out and die-hard fans who follow the team closely. A great many of the fans in attendance have a personal connection with the team. For the 2020 season New York State has limited the size of outdoor gatherings to 50 persons. Each player is allowed to have two family members in attendance, limiting the number of unaffiliated fans who are allowed to attend. During Stadium Journey’s visit to East Field, the crowd numbered around 50 fans. Access 2 East Field is located on the eastern edge of the city of Glens Falls. Fans coming to the area will take exit 18 off of Interstate 87 and drive a ways through the city to get to the ballpark, which is part of a larger complex which includes softball fields, a pool, a playground and an outdoor skating pond. There is plenty of parking in a lot adjacent to the ballpark. Seating consists of several sets of bleachers which encircle the field. These bleachers are in need of some serious TLC, as they are splintering and buckling in spots. Plans are in the works to replace some of these bleachers with 1,500 seats taken from the former Riverfront Stadium in Newark, NJ, but there is currently no schedule as to when this will happen. For now, choose your seats wisely and move carefully around the seating area. There are some individual bucket seats behind home plate. These seats are among the most coveted in the ballpark. Nets and light poles obstruct views from most seating areas in the park. There is a concession stand and building containing rest rooms behind the bleachers on the right field line. These buildings are closed for the 2020 season. Additional rest rooms are located in the press box building behind home plate. These rest rooms are more than adequate for the crowds at an Independents game but are in need of some serious maintenance. The facilities at East Field are definitely showing their age and some attention is certainly needed to many areas of the ballpark in order to improve overall fan comfort and field conditions. A microcosm of these issues can be found when looking for the scoreboard, located in left-center field. It’s no longer there. Taken down in 2019, it has yet to be replaced. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Dragons games are sold as general admission for five dollars. Tickets for children aged 12 and under are discounted to three dollars. With the large capacity of East Field, there are plenty of choices as to where to sit. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the ballpark. Concessions are reasonably priced, making a night at East Field a most affordable entertainment option for local baseball fans. Extras 1 There’s not much that can be considered extra at East Field (there’s not even a working scoreboard here). There is a small mural located by the entrance to the ballpark which features the logos of all the teams to call East Field home. Final Thoughts East Field is typical of minor league ballparks built in the 1980s. A bare bones facility without a lot of amenities or charm, this collection of bleachers is what passed as state of the art at that time. It’s hard to believe that this facility hosted AA baseball back in the day. East Field is in dire need of some TLC, which is apparently on the way. Warts and all, it’s great to have a place to catch some organized baseball in the summer of 2020. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Curry Arena 1900 Selwyn Ave Charlotte, NC 28274 Queens University of Charlotte Royals website Curry Arena website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 2,500 Curry Arena at the Levine Center – Queens University of Charlotte Royals A growing trend in college athletics as of late has been the number of NCAA Division-II programs making the jump to Division-I. One of the newest members to D-I is Queens University of Charlotte. The Royals are no stranger to success on the hardwood, having earned 15 NCAA Division-II Tournament appearances over almost the past three decades, while advancing to two Final Fours, most recently in 2018. While almost all programs go through a learning curve when jumping levels, Queens has seemingly shortened that curve, as they have been highly competitive as the newest member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions at Curry Arena provide many choices at very reasonable prices. Arena staples such as hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn are available, as are soft pretzels, peanuts, and chips, as well as a wide selection of candy and snacks. An additional touch is the more than half-dozen powdered popcorn toppings to customize your kernels a bit. Beverage selections can be made from Coke products, Powerade, and bottled water. Queens University chooses not to sell alcohol at their games. One drawback from the concessions is there is only one stand, so lines can get backed up a bit. With its proximity to the court, though, fans can keep up with the action while they wait. Atmosphere 3 Curry Arena is part of the Levine Center that also houses Queens University’s student recreation-wellness center, along with being home to the school’s basketball, volleyball, and wrestling programs. Greek columns majestically frame the front entrance of the Levine Center, and perfectly compliment the bronze statue of the school’s lion mascot. Fans enter the main lobby and pass into Curry Arena at the top of the seating area. Large walls at each end of the court keep most fans on their side of the court. Except for about 40 courtside seats, seating in Curry Arena is general admission. Seats in the lower level of the bleachers do have seat backs. There are small sections of bleachers at each end of the court, but there are typically reserved for cheerleaders and groups who are being featured during the game. Even though Queens University does not have a pep band, there is an in-house DJ who is very active. While pep bands add to the college basketball atmosphere, the DJ’s involvement gives the game at Queens an NBA feel to it. NCAA rules prohibit music being played while the ball is in play, but the DJ pushes the envelope and takes advantage of stoppages in play to sneak in a few bars of music – it is not overdone and pairs nicely with dead ball situations. One oddity of the seating is the bleachers come out 10-15 feet short of the sidelines, which creates a bit of an awkward space between the first row of bleachers and the courtside seats. Neighborhood 4 Queens University sits among the willow-oak lined roadway of the prestigious Queens Road. Nestled amongst the well-manicured homes of Myers Park, the Queens campus seamlessly fits in with its neighbors. While restaurants do not immediately surround the Queens campus, just a mile up the road is a cluster of local eats, including JJ’s Red Hots, Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grille, and Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar. Another cluster of restaurants can be found just over a mile from campus on nearby Providence Road. Even though the Myers Park neighborhood lends itself more to bed & breakfast stays than traditional hotels, nearby South McDowell Street has several quality hotels at reasonable rates. These hotels are within walking distance of several of the Charlotte food and entertainment attractions. Even during the winter months, Charlotte has something for almost every sports fan. The NASCAR Hall of Fame , in the heart of uptown Charlotte, is considered the crown jewel of the city’s tourist attractions. Charlotte is also a haven for professional and collegiate sports – the Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Panthers , and Charlotte FC all play in this area, while just outside of uptown is Bojangles Center, home of the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. Finally, if talking North Carolina sports, it must include college basketball; Charlotte , Davidson , and Winthrop all play within 30 minutes of Queens University’s campus. Fans 3 A quick look at the attendance numbers at Queens University basketball games can be a bit deceptive. Considering Queens has an enrolment of just under 1,500 students, their attendance numbers do not accurately reflect the support the Royals receive. Given the walkability of the surrounding neighborhood, and an elementary school directly next door, the Royals get a lot of support from their neighbors. Community groups are often a part of the pre-game and halftime entertainment, which helps increase the size of the crowds. At a capacity of 2,500, it helps that Curry Arena is not an oversized gymnasium, that can feel cavernous with smaller attendance numbers. Accessibility 4 I-85 and I-77 both run through Charlotte and provide access to the Queens University campus via surface streets. Given its location within the city, in a residential neighborhood, typical traffic congestion can make mid-week games a bit challenging, but it is not flat-out gridlock. Free parking is available in the North Deck parking garage, and provides the easiest access point into the arena. Try to park as far forward in the garage as possible, or at least exit opposite the entrance – this prevents having to walk around the building to get to the front of the arena. Curry Arena is part of the Levine Center building, so don’t let the name on the front fool you! Fans are greeted by a large, bronze statue of the school’s lion mascot as they make their way to the entrance. Once in the building, split to either side of the reception area to access the court. Seating will be immediately in front of you, or follow either of the long hallways to access the bleachers on the opposite side of the court, if you are sitting behind the benches. Return on Investment 5 Frequently one of the biggest barriers for families attending sporting events together is simply the cost. After paying for parking, admission, and concessions, it can set a family back a couple of hundred dollars. Queens University offers all the above at little to no cost. With free parking, tickets starting at $5 for children and $10 for adults, and a wide variety of concessions options at not your typical concession stand prices, families can attend at a fraction of the price it might cost at larger venues. Extras 3 The main lobby of the Levine Center houses the Queens University bookstore and has a selection of school apparel at very reasonable prices. The second floor of the Levine Center features an extensive look at the university’s history of athletic accomplishments and honors from their Division-II days. Trophy cases filled with accolades, trophies, and memorabilia, championship banners, a “Wall of Champions,” and support pillars noting a long list of individual accomplishments can be found all around the second floor. Queens University mascot Rex, a cartoonish lion, is rather entertaining to watch. Rex is never shy about playfully mocking the opponent's miscues. Even though he typically sticks to the sidelines, Rex is quick to stop for a selfie or engage with fans as he makes his way around the court. Final Thoughts Making the jump from NCAA Division-II to Division-I can come with a bit of growing pains as programs work to establish themselves in their new conference. Queens University has done a good job at making that transition as smooth as possible. While their arena does have some quirks and oddities, it is not enough to negatively impact the enjoyability of a game at Curry Arena.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Nationwide Arena 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, OH 43215 Columbus Blue Jackets Website Nationwide Arena Website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 18,103 Nationwide is the Place To Be in Columbus The Nationwide Arena is the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The $175 million multi-purpose building seats 18,500 people and debuted for the 2000-2001 season. Its construction returned the NHL to Ohio for the first time in 22 years with the creation of the expansion franchise. The arena is of a brick design and is the centerpiece of The Arena district that was redeveloped with funding from Nationwide Reality Investors, The Columbus Dispatch Printing Company, private investors, and the city of Columbus. It includes office, retail, and living space in downtown Columbus. The district later included the home of the Columbus Clippers  Huntington Park  and Columbus Crew SC   Lower.com Field .  The building is named after the original minority owner, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, whose world headquarters are across the street. Nationwide purchased the naming rights to Nationwide Arena in 2011 for $28 million. The deal is the only NHL sponsorship without an expiration date.  Food & Beverage 4 The game has many options, including standard food, local favorites, and specialty items to satisfy your taste buds. Schmidt’s Sausage stand offers its iconic Bahama Mamas, Fat Daddie’s, bratwursts, garlic knockwursts, and frankfurters. A few favorites from Cincinnati include Montgomery Inn which serves pulled pork mixed with its signature barbecue sauce, served with macaroni and cheese and homemade potato chips. The girl also serves burgers, cheese fries, and chicken tenders. Skyline Chili has a portable stand with coneys and nachos, and Whit’s Frozen Custard is an idea for your sweet tooth. Bacon on a stick sells out quickly at The Arena, grab one when you can. There are multiple Eastside Diner locations, offering cheesesteaks, and the building’s most iconic item is the giant slab of bacon on a stick. They sell out fast, so get them while you are there before the game. Jet’s Pizza and Bento Box at the Stix Cart in section 102 are a few more options. The box comes with chicken, beef, veggie meatballs, soba noodle salad, or rice and is served with a marinated egg, house-made pickles, and kohlrabi slaw. The drink options include the Wild Turkey Hat Trick Bar, which features tables and chairs in a relaxed atmosphere with a full-service bar. Popular beer choices include  Labatt Blue, Left Hand Milk South, Brew Dog Elvis Juice, Goose Island Haze Bear Hug, Rhinegeist Truth, and Columbus Brewing Company’s Bodhi IPA. Braxton’s Garage Beers come in a Light Lager (also in Lime) has been recently added. Atmosphere 4 Blue Jacket games on most nights have a boisterous atmosphere in the NHL. The local bars and restaurants are crowded before the game, and fans are decked out in Blue Jackets gear. Once inside the arena, the main concourse is alive, with sights and sounds of great food and activities for everyone to enjoy. The building is modern and spacious, offering great sightline views of the game from the seating bowl. There are a few open views of the ice from the main concourse where the cannon and pre-game show take place.  The club-level section of the arena provides some of the best views of the ice from the concourse. The Fan Zone is located at section 118, overlooking the OhioHealth Ice Haus, the team’s official practice facility. The tech-forward experience offers an eSports Lounge modeled after the club’s locker room. Fans can take shots on goal and block pucks virtually, while others can play NHL25 on Xbox gaming stations. Check out the blast from the cannon after every Blue Jackets goal Fans can take photos with a replica of an 1857 Napoleon cannon that is fired when the team takes the ice, scores a goal, or wins the game. The cannon pays homage to the ones used during the American Civil War and is as loud as a jet flyover at 1,000 feet. Nationwide Arena has a "no bag" policy, which prohibits all bags larger than 8”x 5”x 1” except diapers and medical bags. All children over the age of 2 are expected to have a ticket. Sensory packs are available and can be picked up at guest services at any time throughout the night if needed.  The official team shop gets crowded with fans during intermission, but a few satellite locations offer more room to pick up a jersey, shirt, or cap. Numerous hockey jerseys are hanging from the walls of every high school program in Ohio.  Neighborhood 4 The Arena District DORA is activated three hours before the start of every event or game taking place at all events. The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area allows for alcoholic beverages to go from 12 different establishments in the area, including Boston Pizza, Nada, Betty’s Bar, Whistle & Keg, and the R Bar. On certain nights, Party on the Plaza takes place with music, vendors, and other activities along Battelle Plaza. The dining options include Se Señor Peruvian Sandwiches, Creole 2 Geaux, Ted’s Montana Grill, and Agave & Rye, where fun decor, creative tacos, and a giant whiskey and tequila section take center place. Post-game options for a drink include Fanatics Sportsbook, Moran’s Bar & Grille, and the R Bar Arena. The R Bar is where the Blue Jackets fans go after the game, but don’t be surprised to talk with a few visiting fans over a couple of Labatt Blue cans. The R Bar Arena is within walking distance of the arena and a favorite spot after the game. The North Market is a dining hall near the district that houses numerous places to eat and shop. Visitors can choose from sinfully dedicated ice cream at Jen’s Splendid Ice Cream, succulent barbecue at Barrel & Boar, fried chicken at Hot Chicken Takeover, and perogies and stuffed cabbage at Hubert’s Polish Deli. The Barrel and Bottle is a full-service bar serving Ohio craft beer, cider, Belgian specialty beers, and wines from around the world. Fans 4 Blue Jacket fans have supported their team for the past 25 seasons and made Central Ohio the home of NHL hockey. Most games are sold out at around 82 percent and will sell out when certain big visitors from Chicago, Detroit, or Pittsburgh. Fans will chant “LEO!” when the PA announcer introduces Leo Welsh to sing the National Anthem. Access 4 The Nationwide Arena is easily accessible inside and outside of the main concourse. Two main concourses are empty to the seating bowl with staircases, escalators, and elevator access. The main concourse is vast, while the upper one is narrower. However, proper signage throughout the arena makes it easy to find your seat. Arriving at the game is easy for a downtown venue. There are around 18,000 parking spots within distance of the Arena. Prepaid parking makes it simple to get into a garage or lot for the game, and traffic flows steadily when the game lets out. Return on Investment 5 The ticket prices depend on the opponent but can be as low as $15 or as high as $50. Parking can range in price a few blocks away from $10 to $20 nearer the arena. There are options for free street parking when available. Depending on other NHL venues, a game at the Blue Jackets is one of the best values in the league. The price of food and beverage is slightly less than in other NHL arenas, while merchandise prices are on par with other teams.  Extras 4 The Blue Jackets earn extra points for the following: the 1857 replica Napoleon cannon, the interactive Fan Zone overlooking the practice rink, and the DORA beverages to-go before the game. These three extra points give Lastly, the memorial for Johnny Gaudreau, who was tragically killed with his brother in August of 2023 while riding his bike near his home in New Jersey by a drunk driver. His two years in Columbus were short, but his legacy will impact many others for a long time.  Final Thoughts The Nationwide Arena is a fine place to watch an NHL game. The sightlines, food and drink, and neighborhood provide the opportunity for a wonderful night watching hockey with friends and family. The easy access by car, foot, and mass transit makes this a must for any sports traveler. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Footprint Center 201 E Jefferson St Phoenix, AZ 85004 Arizona Rattlers website Footprint Center website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 18,422 Welcome to the Snake Pit The Arizona Rattlers have been playing indoor football for over 30 years, and have won 6 championships in that time, an astonishing 20% hit rate, including a threepeat from 2012-2014. They were members of the Arena Football League from 1992-2016 before joining the Indoor Football League for the 2017 campaign. The team plays their home games at Footprint Center, also home to the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. Formerly known as Talking Stick Resort Arena, among other names, the facility holds just over 17,000 fans and was most recently renovated in 2020. The Arizona Rattlers pull out all the stops for indoor football in Phoenix – pyrotechnics when the team comes onto the field, a great crowd, a superb facility, and all the other bells and whistles you could ask for. Food & Beverage 4 Footprint Center has pretty much any food and beverage option you could ask for, including several large bar areas where you can sit and enjoy a drink within sight of the action on the field. The only downside is that the prices are high, as you may expect from an NBA arena (think $10 for a brat without fries, or $20 for a draft beer). Main dishes include hot dogs, brats, burgers, chicken tenders, tacos, tamales, nachos (basic, chicken tinga, or al pastor), pizza, catfish or veggie po boys, Caesar salads, cauliflower with hot sauce and blue cheese (presumably for vegetarians and vegans), chicken sandwiches (including Nashville hot), hibachi bowls, poke bowls, fried rice, and even sushi rolls – yes, sushi rolls. Side and snack items include cheesy garlic bread, fries, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, and packaged candy, as well as a few items from Wetzel’s Pretzels, which offers probably the best value at Footprint Center; a large serving of pretzel bites for around $8 (but add $2.50 per cup of dipping sauce to go with it). Drink selections are just as varied, including soda, bottled water, regular lemonade, strawberry lemonade, draft or canned beer, hard seltzer, cocktails, and wine. There are even a couple of mini convenience stores with a huge selection of different beers and sodas (as well as a few packaged snacks), which are almost certain to have what you are looking for – if you are looking for a taste of Arizona, be sure to stop by these convenience stores to pick up prickly pear cactus flavored gummi bears or popcorn. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere for Arizona Rattlers football couldn’t be better – the action starts when the team takes the field, with sparks and spurts of flame flying out of cones as the players make their entrances. There is also a stellar dance team and a great mascot named Stryker, who is all over the place taking pictures with fans in the stands, or the concourse, and he also shows up on the field with the dance team, pumping up the crowd – Stryker has a great look with the fangs and mottled pattern on his neck, perfectly reminiscent of the rattlesnake he represents. The arena is not surprisingly called the Snake Pit, and the fans are loud and engaged the whole time, helped out immensely by a super-energetic P. A. announcer, constantly demanding they Make…Some…Noise! There are also plenty of activities to keep the crowd involved, such as great music and events like the Fist Pump Cam, where fans try to get themselves shown on the video board by doing the most energetic fist pumps. They also have a fundraiser where fans can buy miniature footballs, and try to throw them into baskets on the field for the chance to win a prize (held at the end of the third quarter). Neighborhood 5 With its location right downtown (next to Chase Field in fact, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks ), Footprint Center has plenty of restaurants and entertainment options within walking distance – you may be able to pair a baseball game with an indoor football game if you time it correctly, although the Arizona Cardinals of course don’t play until the fall, so the two football seasons do not overlap. Sky Harbor International Airport is not far from downtown – this airport is one of the biggest in the country, with destinations from all over. One of the nice features about it (which I think is relatively new) is that the sky train takes fans to locations outside the airport, including the rental car center, making it a lot easier to get to and from your flight. Fans 4 As mentioned before, the fans at the Arizona Rattlers game are really loud and energetic and seem to be into the game. There is plenty of team gear being worn, and it is also sold on-site in case you want to pick something up. Unlike the prices at the concession stands, the prices for team gear are quite reasonable – the official football has a special logo marking the Rattler 30 plus years of dominance in the sport, so that would be a great souvenir to pick up ($40) – they also have a smaller version you can get for $15. Access 4 Not sure how long it will continue, but there is a lot of construction going on in and around Phoenix at present – for example, parts of I-10 and I-17 are closed for blasting. The location downtown also adds additional headaches in terms of traffic, although the good news is that indoor football is less well attended than basketball games, so it is a little easier to manage than visiting for a Suns game. Also, indoor football games generally happen on the weekend, and pretty much any city has easier traffic and parking on the weekends than on weekdays, since weekends don’t have all the commuters. Even if you arrive close to kickoff, you can still park for $10 in a small lot right next to Chase Field, which is basically across the street from Footprint Center – a lot of fans also park for free on the side streets near the venue, which don’t have any parking fees at night and during the weekend, when the Rattlers games are likely to be happening. Once you get inside Footprint Center itself it is very easy to move around, and there are no lines to speak of at most of the concession stands, given how many choices you have for food and beverages. There are also plenty of bathrooms and as I mentioned, plenty of bar areas as well. There are also 2 different team stores – a small one on the concourse plus the main one, which is slightly hidden in a corner near the main entrance (you could easily miss it if you aren’t paying attention). Return on Investment 5 A ticket to an Arizona Rattlers game is most definitely worth the money – tickets start at around $30, and for that price, you get a phenomenal, fun, exciting experience. Parking is also reasonable, especially if you can park for free within walking distance. The only possible downside in terms of ROI is the cost of concessions, but there are enough options that if you plan carefully, you could easily see a game for under $50 per person. Extras 5 I already mentioned the great mascot and dance team, the P. A. announcer, and all the different bar areas, but there are also great seating areas dotted around on both the upper and lower levels, where you can sit and drink or eat your food, instead of bumping elbows while trying to eat in your seat. You can even visit part of the upper level (only some of it is designated for suite patrons only, and even that is not monitored very closely). But the Rattlers have also won all those championships, so you are guaranteed to see a great product on the field as well. Final Thoughts If there is any way you can make it out to Phoenix, I recommend visiting Footprint Center for an Arizona Rattlers game – if you have never seen indoor football before this would be a great way to start, and if you have watched the sport before, this is probably one of the best experiences for it that I have ever had.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Daytona International Speedway 1801 West International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Coke Zero Sugar 400 website Daytona International Speedway website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 167,785 A Final July 4th Celebration Daytona International Speedway is one of the world’s greatest race tracks. Host to countless events, one of them is the annual 4th of July NASCAR race under the lights – NASCAR’s Xfinity series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series take to the track for night races at one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. Fans pack in the stunning facility that has been modernized in recent years to watch some of the most exciting racing in all of America. However, with sweeping schedule changes to the 2020 NASCAR slate, Daytona will move to a new September date, meaning 2019 was the final 4th of July race at the fastest track in Florida. Nonetheless, Daytona remains one of the top tracks in the world to watch racing. Food & Beverage 4 There is plenty to eat at Daytona in the paddock and beneath the grandstands in the main concourses. From drinks, coffee, and traditional stadium fare to more eclectic choices, the variety is impressive. During the race weekend, there are also a variety of places to get food throughout the infield – from the arepa stands around the main walkways to the Bud Bar, you will never have any issues finding something to eat. Options are varied and made with quality food. The Pastrami Swiss Burger is a popular twist on the stadium favorite, costing just $10. The track also offers a gouda stuffed veggie burger for $8, or a fish & chips sandwich for $9. Hawaiian chicken sandwiches run $10, while a hot dog costs just $5. Soda and water run from $4 to $5, with beer costing $8 to $9. Atmosphere 5 The race itself is one of the biggest races in NASCAR – everyone looks forward to going to Daytona for its close racing and exciting action, but putting that same action under the lights just adds another aspect of brilliance to an already thrilling experience. The facility is stunning already, and the massive 2.5 mile racetrack features a modern fan zone on the infield that gives fans an unparalleled up-close view of the teams, cars, and even the inspection areas. The grandstands feel like a professional sports stadium thanks to the Daytona Rising renovation of the last few years. Each seat is an individual backed chair, meaning the days of cramming onto a bench with no back are over. You can sit in comfort and enjoy the action. To top it all off, you won’t miss any of the pit stops thanks to your proximity to pit road. Your elevated position gives you a great view of the pit stops during the race, and the big screens along pit road also let you see the replays after each key moment in the race. Neighborhood 4 Daytona is a party town from days gone past, when tourists flocked to the beaches during the summer months. However, the sun isn’t always so warm in North Florida in January. Nonetheless, the beaches are still just a few miles away from the track. In addition, right across the street from the track sit numerous stores, malls, and restaurants. From Chipotle and Panera to Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse, there are plenty of places to shop and eat during your stay. The closest hotels include an Extended Stay America and a WoodSpring Suites Daytona. For attractions, historic Daytona Beach is just a few miles away, and an hour south you can find Kennedy Space Center. Fans 4 NASCAR fans pack in Daytona to see the action, including the campgrounds in the infield. They cheer loudly for their favorite driver and against the rest. NASCAR fans are among the most loyal in sports and some of the most sport knowledgeable. That said, they also love their alcohol and rebel flags, so the infield may not be the best place for kids during race weekend. Aside from that, expect one of the most incredible sports experiences around when you have roaring crowds on their feet for 160 laps. Access 4 Parking at the track is plentiful – not only are there on-site parking lots for various types of parking passes, but the track also hosts numerous off-site parking options for fans to use, as long as you’re willing to walk. For those who would rather take a ride, however, trams are also available to shuttle you in and out of the facility from the off-site parking lots, as well as to take you from one point to another at the track itself. You can also wander the facility as you wish, with any ticket granting access to the stadium grandstand seats as well as the infield fan zone. The track itself is located right off I-95 (you can see the track from the highway); it is hard to miss the massive facility, but just in case you do there are tons of street signs pointing the way. Return on Investment 4 Tickets can get pricey for NASCAR races, but Daytona offers plenty of pricing options for fans at every level. From individual tickets to weekend passes, you can fit getting to Daytona International Speedway into every budget. With the cost of concessions rather affordable as well, you can go to the races here without breaking the bank. Extras 4 The track features massive fan areas in the infield and at the outside entrances, both of which are full of vendor displays and giveaways. You can also tour the Daytona USA museum during your visit for an added cost. In addition, each ticket gets you into the garage and paddock area at Daytona, and you can see fantastic views of the track and the paddock from the rooftop patio decks. Fans can also get a look at the team preparations, thanks to the viewing windows in each garage bay. Fans can also look forward to the autograph sessions throughout the weekend – the Xfinity series drivers usually hold one on Friday afternoon in the infield fan zone before the race begins. Final Thoughts The racing at Daytona is among the best in racing – the facility is top notch and the track has history around every corner. No matter what you are into, this is a sports experience that begs to be seen. Furthermore, night racing at Daytona International Speedway seems to take everything that is great about day racing and amplifies it. The colors, the sounds, the roar of the fans; all of these combine to make one great experience for fans.

Photos by Jordan Baer, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Braun Stadium 1800 Lincoln Ave Evansville, IN 47722 Evansville Purple Aces website Braun Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 1,200 Baseball Braun Built in 2002, Charles H. Braun Stadium is a brand new and shiny baseball only ballpark that serves as the home to the University of Evansville men’s baseball team. To the immediate south of the facility lies a smaller replica version of the ballpark known as James & Dorothy Cooper Stadium which serves as the home to the University of Evansville women’s softball team. Both facilities are located in the northwest corner on the University of Evansville campus and are within walking distance of all UE facilities. With an estimated capacity of 1,200 fans, Charles H. Braun Stadium pays tribute to baseball’s classic ballparks with a handful of obstructed view seats while providing Purples Aces fans with a clean and modern canopy to view top-notch Missouri Valley Conference action. The ballpark also has a grandstand press box named for Marv Bates and his wife Edie who were both supporters of UE athletics. Tragically, Marv lost his life on December 13th, 1977 while traveling with the UE men’s basketball team as a radio broadcaster aboard a plane that crashed shortly after leaving Evansville’s airport. Food & Beverage 1 There’s really only one word to describe the concession stand outside Braun Stadium – Terrible. Although you could make an argument that having the concession stand at nearby Arad McCutchan Stadium is a bad enough idea from the beginning, I personally didn’t have a problem with the location. In fact, I went to the top of McCutchan Stadium for a few minutes to get some great aerial views of Braun Stadium while I was waiting for a couple of people ahead of me to get their items from the concession stand. What really soured me on the Braun Stadium concession stand were both the selection and the availability of the limited selection. The selection of available products at the concession stand was very limited and plain, but nonetheless I picked out one hot dog, one cheeseburger, and one pack of skittles. Being that the game was on senior day and it was only the 4th inning, I really didn’t expect a mass shortage of items, but sure enough, all three of the items were either sold out or not available. Seeing that hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and skittles were all off the board, I decided to get a Mountain Dew and a Hershey candy bar. Southern Indiana is known for its limestone production. After eating my Hershey bar, I’m beginning to wonder if some of that limestone rock didn’t make its way into my candy bar. Surely, UE can do a better job with their concession stand! Atmosphere 3 Although I wouldn’t describe a UE baseball game as iconic or must see, I will say that I did enjoy my time at the ballpark. I had no problem finding a seat under the canopy part of the grandstand where I could stretch out, place my Mountain Dew in a perfectly sized cup holder, and enjoy a PA system that wasn’t too loud or too quiet like many other collegiate ballparks. One thing I wish could be changed is the fact that basically every seat in the ballpark is behind an enormous net no matter which side of the facility it was on. Usually I don’t like sitting directly behind the backstop due to the somewhat obstructed view from the mandatory nets. I know that UE would never be able to take down the net behind home plate but it would be nice if the seats farther down the first and third base lines weren’t behind the net. This is something I hope UE considers when the time comes to expand the canopy section of their grandstand into these sections. Overall, I enjoyed the ease I had finding a seat, walking around the complex, and being surrounded by a modern facility with a great PA system, a clean atmosphere, and a MVC caliber baseball team. Neighborhood 3 One of the best things about the neighborhood around Braun Stadium is the viewpoints. When you look beyond left field, you can see and watch the hustle and bustle of cars going down the Lloyd Expressway. Having the historic old National Guard Armory as well as Arad McCutchan Stadium and Cooper Stadium around the ballpark made me feel like I was in a great neighborhood for sports of all kinds. Hopefully, UE stays committed to keeping the old National Guard Armory standing as it was the first home to UE’s tradition rich basketball program. I also liked the fact that the ballpark was surrounded by student housing and UE’s campus in general. As the area progresses, I would like to see UE inject a little more life around the area. Yes, student housing around the sports complex area is great, but the area desperately needs entertainment, retail, and a little more green space around the ballpark for pregame gatherings. Fans 3 The fans had their moments. I literally saw some of them jumping up and down like it was the World Series when UE scored the tying run late in the game. On average, UE draws crowds roughly in the 100-300 range. The fact that over 200 people attended the game I went to, which was cold and rainy, shows how dedicated they are to UE’s baseball program. With that being said, there is one thing I would like to challenge the UE fans to improve. I would like to see more UE fans wear the purple, orange, and white colors of the Aces. As I looked around, I saw very little UE fan gear. It took me by surprise given that the fans were excited to be at the ballpark cheering on the Aces. Access 3 If you’re a local, getting to this game is easy as pie. If you’re an out-of-town Aces fan, getting to the ballpark may be a little confusing. Yes, you can see the ballpark right off the Lloyd Expressway, but once you take the Weinbach or US 41 exits, it becomes somewhat of a maze to get to the game. Here’s my advice: No matter what direction you’re coming from, get off the main roads and onto Lincoln Avenue. From there, the ballpark on Rotherwood is just a few blocks away. It’s much easier to find than it actually looks. One thing I do like about the access is the availability of free neighborhood parking as well as free parking in the old National Guard Armory’s parking lot. Although these spaces may dry up on days when the Aces are playing a quality opponent or a neighborhood event is taking place, you shouldn’t have a problem finding adequate parking within a few blocks. Return on Investment 3 I thought $7 for a general admission ticket to the game was a little high. I certainly wouldn’t be willing to pay that for several Aces games, but as a casual Aces fan it may not be so bad for the opportunity to see the team every once in a while. I certainly enjoyed my time at the ballpark, and I definitely would go back. I would also love to see UE work to improve the ballpark as well by surrounding it with a ballpark village. One of the things that Braun Stadium needs is more life around it. Although the ballpark is on campus, it is still isolated from all forms of entertainment, retail, and other activities. It is also completely isolated from campus housing (although this is getting better with Walnut Commons) and campus life. If UE wants to spark some energy into an ordinary Braun Stadium, they would certainly have to consider surrounding their ballpark with campus life and activities. Lastly, I didn’t see too many activities taking place at the ballpark other than the game itself. Yes, someone like me who is a fan of the game has no problem with that, but most fans aren’t like that. Most fans crave entertainment when they go to the ballpark. One of the most important yet simple improvements UE could make to Braun Stadium and the way they handle Aces baseball games is to surround the game with events and activities for fans of all ages. Extras 1 I give one point for UE naming the press box after Marv Bates and his wife Edie. Losing Marv in the 1977 Aces Men’s Basketball Team’s plane crash was certainly devastating. Even after the unspeakable tragedy, Edie continues to be active with UE sports as well as Evansville sports in general. Naming the press box after them was definitely a classy move by UE.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 OrthoGeorgia Park at Claude Smith Field 1501 Mercer University Drive Macon, GA 31207 Mercer Bears website OrthoGeorgia Park at Claude Smith Field website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 1,500 Hail to Thee, Mercer University Baseball was the first intercollegiate sport to be played at Mercer University, in the central Georgia city of Macon in 1871. The team would even be led by baseball’s all-time wins leader, Hall of Famer Cy Young , for three spring seasons from 1903 to 1905. “Big Bob” Jones, father of golf legend Bobby Jones, would also star for Mercer just before this time. The university suspended their sports programs in 1942 as the United States entered World War II the previous year. Athletics would not resume until 1948. Mercer would see baseball return under the leadership of head coach Claude Smith, the field’s namesake. Originally members of the Dixie Conference, Mercer would join eight other colleges throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee in the league. Following the 1952 season would see the Dixie Conference fold and Mercer play as an independent team, until the formation of the Trans America Athletic Conference in 1978, which would later become the Atlantic Sun Conference. Following 36 years in the TAAC/A-Sun, Mercer would finally move to the Sothern Conference, where they have been members since 2015.   Food & Beverage   3 Fans at OrthoGeorgia Park have a variety of concession options to choose from. Positioned at the end of the third base concourse is a tent dedicated to the local chicken franchise, Zaxby's. Here, fans can find premade meals featuring chicken tender sandwiches with a selection of sauces, alongside chips, cookies, and a choice of Coca-Cola products or lemonade. For those seeking more traditional fare, a concession stand is part of the brick building along the first base line. This stand offers hot dogs, nachos, chips, and candy. Additionally, patrons can enjoy classic options like popcorn and peanuts. In terms of beverages, the concession stands provide selections from the Coca-Cola family of soft drinks, with Powerade and Dasani water also available. Craft beer aficionados can indulge in offerings from the local Macon brewery, Fall Line Brewing Company, located as part of the Bear Wear souvenir shop situated along the third base line.   Atmosphere   4 Upon approaching the front entrance to OrthoGeorgia Park, fans are greeted by a quaint, arched brick entryway leading directly to the concourse. The grandstand runs even with third base, around to first base, and extends five rows deep. The majority of the seating consists of aluminum bleachers with back support. However, a small section of individual chairback seats is situated behind home plate. High-top tables and drink rails occupy the spaces between the press box structure and facilities on either side, the latter housing restrooms, an apparel shop, and a concession stand; suite-style seating bookends both sides of the press box. While there is not a designated outfield seating area, a tiered hillside extends from the right field side of the batter’s eye to the foul pole, often filled with fans lounging in lawn chairs. The scoreboard displays inning-by-inning line scores, run-hit-error totals, and the current count on the batter. A small video screen at the center of the scoreboard typically showcases team logos and advertising graphics. Game presentation is straightforward yet engaging, with mid-inning breaks often featuring games hosted by an emcee or a series of advertisements. These activities do well at engaging fans, while not distracting from the game. Considering the challenging sun field, especially for spectators behind home plate and up the third base line, seating along the first baseline offers some relief from direct sunlight. Additionally, a few high-top tables with attached seating and drink rails along the concourse provide shaded areas that are popular among fans.   Neighborhood   4 OrthoGeorgia Park is situated within the athletics cluster alongside Five Star Stadium , just beyond the right field wall, with Hawkins Arena  positioned up the hill behind home plate. Despite its location in a city of over 150,000, Mercer University retains a distinct college town ambiance. Downtown Macon is adorned with Mercer Bears banners on many of its light posts, and features numerous billboards promoting Mercer athletics. On campus, fans have two main areas to grab a meal or drink during their visit. Mercer Village, a small area just off campus, offers a variety of food options including Margaritas Mexican Grille, JAG’s Pizzeria, Nu-Way Wieners, and Francar’s Buffalo Wings. Just south of campus, within a half-mile radius of OrthoGeorgia Park, fans can find Amici Pizza and the Library Taphouse. Mercer’s campus is also approximately 6 miles from downtown Macon, which boasts a wide array of entertainment and dining options for visitors.   Fans   4 When trying to quantify the fan support Mercer baseball receives, it can be difficult to put an exact figure on it. While NCAA statistics report an average attendance of just under 600 fans per game, this number doesn't fully reflect the additional nearly 100 spectators who watch from the hillside beyond the right field fence. Mercer baseball fans are characterized by their supportive yet laid-back attitude – while they may express vocal reactions, especially to questionable calls, they tend to foster a welcoming atmosphere rather than an intimidating one for visiting teams. In essence, Mercer baseball fans can best be described as "pleasant".   Access   4 Situated less than a half mile from Interstate-75, accessing the Mercer campus is rather straightforward. The parking lot is conveniently located just beyond the outfield fence, requiring only a short walk to reach the front entrance of OrthoGeorgia Park. The box office and main gate are positioned at the home plate entrance, with a secondary entry available on the third base side of the stadium. Both entry points lead to a well-marked concourse that runs along the top of the seating area, making navigation easy for visitors.   Return on Investment   5 While some teams in the SoCon offer free admission to baseball games, Mercer charges fans for entry. Tickets start at $8 for bleacher seats and $10 for individual chairback seats behind home plate. However, fans have the option to sit beyond the right field wall at no cost. Additionally, the absence of a parking fee adds to the affordability of attending Mercer baseball games. Making the experience even more enjoyable, concession prices for the stadium staples are kept refreshingly low.   Extras   4 During the early innings of the game, Mercer’s mascot duo, Toby and Tot, make their rounds throughout the stadium, engaging with fans and posing for photos with those who approach them. At the home plate entry, visitors are greeted with pride, as championship trophies from Mercer’s time in the Southern Conference, as well as its tenure in the Trans America Athletic Conference, are prominently displayed. Possibly the pride of Mercer baseball, 2016 Golden Spikes Award Winner Kyle Lewis is honored with a display in the entry leading to the concourse, as well as with a banner hanging on the outfield wall under the scoreboard. Banners hung from the brick wall in foul territory down the right field line recognize the four NCAA baseball tournaments the Bears have played in, while a second collection of banners on display beyond the left center field wall celebrate the five SoCon championships won by the Bears.   Final Thoughts Baseball at Mercer is enough to keep fans entertained throughout the game, without the feeling of being overwhelmed with sound effects or over the top mascot skits that take away from the entertainment of the game itself. OrthoGeorgia Park at Claude Smith Field has a rather laid-back atmosphere that provides fans with different options for enjoying college baseball – either remaining outside to take in the game via more of a tailgating atmosphere, or more traditionally watching the game from the comfort of a stadium seat. The coming years will see the addition of coaching accommodations and a player development center down the left field line. The facility upgrades will add to the ambiance of an already quaint college baseball facility, which provides fans with a positive college baseball experience.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 The Hawthorns Birmingham Rd West Bromwich, West Midlands B71 4LF United Kingdom West Bromwich Albion FC website The Hawthorns website Year Opened: 1900 Capacity: 26,586 The Hawthorns The Hawthorns has been the home of West Bromwich Albion football club since 1900. It has a capacity of 27,000. It is the sixth ground used by the club. In 1949 the ground installed the first-ever electronic turnstile aggregator, to automatically calculate attendance. Following the Taylor Report, the ground became all-seated with first the Smethwick End and then the Birmingham Road End terraces being demolished and replaced by all-seater stands, giving it a capacity of more than 25,000. In 2001 the Rainbow Stand was replaced by the new larger East Stand. In 2002 the club was the first to install big screens in the widescreen format. Later that year they hosted the first-ever Premier League match at the stadium, a 1-3 defeat to Leeds United. The stadium is located in West Bromwich, Sandwell, just outside the major city of Birmingham. Food & Beverage 3 The Hawthorns has one of the better selections I have come across at football grounds in England. Burgers and hot dogs cost £3.30, pizza and pies cost £3.00, chips cost £2.50 and assorted snacks cost £1.20. Hot and soft drinks come for £2.00, and water is £1.80. Lager and different ciders cost £3.60, a spirit with mixer costs £4.00 and wine costs £3.30. The Balti Pie (curried chicken) is recommended and meal deals are available too. Be prepared to queue though as lines can get very long, either leave a few minutes before the end of the half or go at a different time. Food and soft drinks can be taken back into the ground but alcoholic drinks must be consumed in the concourse. Atmosphere 3 In the stadium, there is plenty of noise from the home and away ends. Two big screens show replays as well. Leg space is slightly cramped especially if you are tall. Concourses are narrow so can be quite cramped at halftime or pregame. Views of the game are great from any seat and you are never far away from the action. There are electronic ticket scanners at the turnstiles when entering the ground resulting in quick queue times. Neighborhood 2 Near the ground, there is very little on offer. A Mcdonald's is across the road from the ground but apart from that, you are a bit stuck if you want pre-match food or drinks. However, with Birmingham so close, it’s recommended to go into the city before or after a game and visit its many pubs, restaurants, and shops. Fans 3 The West Brom fans usually fill the stadium and are close to selling out each game. They also make plenty of noise. The acoustics in the stadium helps this and with a good away following at a game the atmosphere can be electric. The fans from the Black Country can be very friendly as well, joking about poor results, and are willing to help a fellow fan with any information that is needed. Access 4 As the Hawthorns is located just outside of Birmingham there are plenty of transport links to the ground. A train station, ‘Hawthorns,’ is just a five-minute walk away from the ground and can be reached from Moor Street or Snow Hill stations which are in the middle of Birmingham and easy to get to. Trains take less than 10 minutes. The stadium is situated just off the motorway, leave the M5 at junction 1 and take the sign for the A41 East. You should end up at the stadium. There is plenty of parking around the ground and costs around £5. I would advise getting there early though to avoid missing out on a space. Toilets are clean and there is also plenty of help and access for disabled people as well. One warning though, the return train can be hard to catch and waiting times are very long as the station is small. Check timetables on the National Rail website. Return on Investment 3 There are two categories for ticket prices. Games against smaller opposition cost £25 which is very reasonable for a Premier League game. Ticket prices for category ‘A’ games though which are against the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool cost a high £40. Concession tickets for children, seniors, and students bring these prices down. All info on when tickets go on sale to the general public and further prices can be found on the club website. Extras 3 There is a fan shop that sells all the normal merchandise one would find in a club shop. There are also plenty of VIP boxes if you want a higher level of experience. You can also buy a program from inside or outside the ground and these cost £3.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Dantzler Stadium 3400 Dantzler St Moss Point, MS 39563 Moss Point Tigers website Dantzler Stadium website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 8,000 Mississippi’s Own Death Valley – Dantzler Stadium Bayou Tigers Perhaps no other high school football stadium in the state of Mississippi has seen more success and history on its field than Moss Point Dantzler Stadium in Moss Point, MS. Eight State Championship Game appearances, five State Title wins, 31 playoff appearances, 20+ straight winning seasons, plus countless NFL and Division I college players, and it’s safe to say Moss Point High School has seen it all. Football began being played on the site in 1925 with the current grandstands being constructed in the late 1940’s. The stadium is named after the L.N. Dantzler Lumber Company, which at one time was a sawmill that sat on the river, and the fact that the high school is located on Dantzler Street. Not much has changed at the stadium since its opening over 60 years ago, except the field name – in 2013 the playing field was renamed Jerry Alexander Field; Alexander was a coaching legend at Moss Point and is the school’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 167-55. In his first year at the program he won a State Championship (1991), and before retiring in 2007 he had won four more. In the mid 90’s and early 2000’s there was no other team in the state more feared than Alexander’s Tiger team. He created a dynasty and had many future college and NFL players play under him – Mississippi State quarterbacks Derrick Taite and Kevin Fant, Georgia Tech quarterback Demarius Bilbo, current Astros reliever Tony Sipp, and Minnesota Vikings defensive end Tom Johnson are all players who came out of Moss Point and played for Coach Alexander. Though the football program is not what it once was, there’s no denying the fact that at one time this was not only a Mississippi football powerhouse, but a national powerhouse as well. The school was consistently ranked in the top 10 in the country during the late 90’s thru early 2000’s, and the team would play other high school powerhouses from all over country on ESPN during this time period as well. Food & Beverage 2 There are two concessions stands located at Dantzler Stadium, one on the home side and one on the visitor’s side. The stand on the home side is located under the stadium, and the stand on the visitor’s side is located as soon as you enter the venue. The concessions are about what you would expect, nothing seems to stand out, though the prices are pretty cheap which is always a plus. I’m not sure about the home side, but the burgers and hot dogs on of the visitor’s side are grilled right outside the stand, so I know they are being freshly cooked. The concessions are priced as follows – nachos, hamburgers, and corn dogs ($3); hot dogs & pizza slices ($2); popcorn, pickles, chips, & sunflower seeds ($1). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider, with bottles of Powerade, Dasani water, and 24 oz. bottled Coke for $2 each. Atmosphere 3 There’s nothing special about the overall appearance of Dantzler Stadium. The grandstand is rusting and aging, and the press box is small and outdated. But the location and view are what makes this place so special – the north side of the stadium is open and features two several hundred-year-old oak trees, while behind those is the Pascagoula River, and behind that is the Highway 613 high-rise. There is not a better view at any Mississippi high school than sitting in Dantzler Stadium on a Friday night watching the sunset. The field faces north and south with open end zones and the gorgeous view of the river located on the north side, and the scoreboard and football facilities located on the south side. The west grandstand is the visitor’s section and is the basic aluminum style bleacher setup; the east side is the home side which has a bleacher grandstand as well. There is nothing to write home about on the home side as the display of support by the Moss Point fans is not very good; it’s a shame how far this school district has fallen in recent years. Their band only has about 20 members in it, and the stands are only half full. The visiting side brings all the support and contributes to most of the crowd noise. Because of the rivalry matchup I gave the atmosphere one more star than it deserves. Neighborhood 2 Moss Point High School is located in a mostly residential area. The area around Dantzler Stadium, especially on River Road to the west, is very pretty. The road winds around Krebs Lake just south of the Pascagoula River and presents a very scenic drive, especially at sunset. The area around the high school is mostly just houses, and there is not a lot to do in the neighborhood. A short drive east about a mile will take you to downtown Moss Point. This area is not much of a downtown like you would expect but does have a nice River Park that plays hosts to all types of events throughout the year. During the fall the whole park turns into a pumpkin patch, and during the Christmas season it hosts Christmas on the River, which is a huge parade of boats decorated with Christmas lights – it is truly a sight to see. There is also a spot where you can rent kayaks and travel up the Escatawpa and Pascagoula Rivers and view the wildlife. Or, if you have your own boat you could even camp out on one of the many sandbars and little islands throughout the river as well. There are definitely not a whole lot of places to eat at Moss Point, but there are a few. In downtown Burnham Drugs is one of my favorites – the place looks like a regular local pharmacy from the outside, but the inside houses an old 50s style diner that serves typical foods such as burgers and sandwiches. The food is very cheap; you can get a burger and fries for less than 4 dollars. The diner is only open during lunch though and has limited seating, so make sure you get there early to beat the lunch crowd. Another place I recommend is Dubs, one of the few locally owned restaurants in Moss Point, located on Main Street just south of downtown. This Moss Point staple has been open for decades and serves really good fried foods. Another locally owned establishment is Faye’s Kitchen, but this is located on the east side of the city and in a rundown part of the town. Faye’s has been open for years dating back to the days when International Paper had a paper mill across the street. Though the paper mill is now gone Faye’s is still open, and though it looks a little rundown from the outside, it serves the best soul food in Moss Point. Besides the restaurants, there is really only one bar I can recommend going to and that would be Scotty’s. Also on Main Street, Scotty’s is a pretty cool bar if you want live music in the city. Scotty’s has good food as well, though the place is really small, and is located in a rundown shopping center. As you could guess Moss Point is not exactly the safest city and is consistently ranked as one of Mississippi’s most dangerous. However, you should be fine walking around the high school and surrounding areas, and even the River Road area is nice and safe. The areas that are most dangerous would be Main Street in downtown to the Pascagoula city limits, and east Moss Point behind Walmart. Even though some of the restaurants I mentioned are in these areas, I would advise using caution when in the parking lots. You should be safe if you go from your car into Scotty’s or Dub’s, but I don’t recommend venturing too far off and you should always be aware of your surroundings. If staying in town for the night I recommend not staying in Moss Point, but instead traveling up Highway 613 to the I-10 exit in Escatawpa just a few miles north. Here you’ll find countless hotel options, as well as all the basic fast food restaurants. The casinos of Biloxi are about 30 minutes away as well for those who want to gamble. Fans 4 On my most recent visit, Dantzler Stadium hosted Jackson County’s fiercest rivalry “The Battle of the Cats” as the Tigers faced the Pascagoula Panthers. These two schools first faced off in 1925 and are pretty evenly matched with an overall record of 37-40-3 in favor of the Panthers. Just four miles separate these two schools and this matchup usually opens the high school football season each year. This is one of the more intense rivalries on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, so it’s safe to say the score is higher during this game based on the fact that students and alumni from both schools show up to support their local high school, as the two cities legitimately do not like each other. Not every game here is this well-attended, however; usually the stands at Dantzler Stadium are only about half full, which is a far cry of how it was 20 years ago. Access 3 Moss Point High School is a pretty easy place to find – if coming from the east or west, Interstate 10 will be the fastest way to get here. Just take the interstate to exit 68 which is Highway 613, about 2 miles west of the Alabama state line, then take the highway south about three miles through downtown Moss Point, turn right on Dantzler Street, and the school will be on the left with the stadium right across the street. If you want to take the scenic route I recommend taking the River Road route, located a couple blocks west of Dantzler Stadium. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are fairly cheap; $6 gets you general admission seating anywhere in the stadium. Because of the size of the stadium there are no premium seats, but factor in the cheap ticket prices with the cheap concessions prices plus the fact that you are getting to see a historic high school venue, so the return on investment is good at Dantzler Stadium. The breathtaking sunset view to the north is almost worth the price of admission on its own. Extras 2 One extra for the view; I have not seen a better view at a high school football venue than here at Dantzler Stadium, especially since many of the games here start at 7 pm. For August and September games you are almost guaranteed a view of the pretty sunset, but sit in the middle section of the stadium, or on the south side for the best views of it. Also, if coming to Dantzler Stadium, if you have time make sure you take the River Road route as the views along there are gorgeous as well. The whole area is basically nestled in a swamp, and the Spanish moss hangs from the trees over the road. Final Thoughts Though the Moss Point Tigers football team is not what it once was, there is no denying the history and success of the Tigers program; Jerry Alexander really turned this school into a football powerhouse. Though Dantzler Stadium needs to be fixed up and it’s not what it was 20 years ago, it still remains a great place to watch a football game on a Friday night.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Eddie C. McGirt Field at Irwin Belk Complex 500 N Summit Ave Charlotte, NC 28216 Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls website Eddie C. McGirt Field at Irwin Belk Complex website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 4,500 No Bull at Johnson C. Smith Eddie C. McGirt Field at Irwin Belk Complex is named after former JCSU football coach Eddie McGirt, who coached the team from 1959 to 1977, and led the Golden Bulls to their only CIAA championship in 1969. The complex opened in 2003 and includes the 4,500-seat football stadium whose field is named after McGirt. There is also an Olympic-sized track surrounding the field. Food & Beverage 3 McGirt Field offers concessions from two stands inside the grandstand – there are actually four stands but only two are open for football games. The menu has a pretty good selection including wings, nachos, burgers, hot dogs, sausage dogs, pickles, candy, lollipops, chips, fish sandwiches, and fish combos with fries, plus bottled water and bottled Coke products. The lines tend to be long since there are only the 2 stands open, and the prices for some items are on the high side. They also might run out of certain items by halftime, so be sure to go early if you want something specific. Also note the concessions only take cash, so plan accordingly. Atmosphere 2 McGirt Field only has one grandstand, along the southwest sideline – there is no seating on the other side or behind the end zones, except for field-level club seating under a blue-and-gold-tent on the northwest side. There is a track around the football field and a giant statue of a bull behind the club seating, as well as a scoreboard on that side. However, the scoreboard wasn’t working during my most recent visit, and the referee’s microphone wasn’t working either, so it was hard to keep track of the score, down and distance, and time left in the game. On the plus side there are several sets of furniture inside the grandstand (patio tables and chairs), which are a comfortable place to sit and eat, or just relax during the contest away from the sun – unfortunately you can’t see the games from these. While small, the Johnson C. Smith marching band, a staple at all HBCUs, is called Blue Satin and marches into the facility a few minutes before the game along the southeast side, and entertains fans from a spot on the track in front of the grandstand (pregame) or from their seats (in-game and during halftime) – the drum major is particularly good, showing off his dance moves as the band plays on. The PA system is also very loud, so it is easy to hear what is going on no matter where you are in the stadium. Blue Satin Marching into Stadium, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 McGirt Field is in a little bit of a rough area, within sight of I-77 to the southeast. That said there is not much in the way of restaurants or shopping in the immediate vicinity, and this may not be the safest place to be at night. However, downtown Charlotte is within sight of the field (to your right as you face the turf), so there is plenty to see and do within a short drive. The facility is located on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University, and there is a railroad bridge on the northeast side of the field, so you may see a freight train passing by as you watch the contest. Fans 2 Johnson C. Smith has some great fans, and you can see plenty of gold attire being worn in the stands near the midfield stripe. Unfortunately there just aren’t very many fans in attendance – the venue has a small capacity anyway due to having only one grandstand, and that grandstand looks pretty empty with only a few hundred spectators at the average football contest. Also, I did not see any team gear for sale at the stadium, so you may have to visit the campus bookstore for that. On the plus side, the fans who are there are pretty loud, stomping their feet in unison on big plays and third downs. There is also a lot of cheering in support of the Golden Bulls – the signature cheer you will hear at McGirt Field is when the announcer calls out “J-C!” and the crowd responds “S-U!” (abbreviation for Johnson C. Smith University), after which the PA announcer closes with “Well all right”. Access 4 McGirt Field is easy to get to, but there are a few logistical things to be aware of. First, the road next to the field itself (Summit Ave) is closed off during games, so to park you need to drive in through the main entrance of the university (along Beatties Ford Rd), and then drive around to get to the parking areas next to the venue. Parking is $10 or $15 depending on how close you want to get – the $10 parking is barely more of a walk, so is a perfectly good option. Second, there are no tickets sold at McGirt Field itself – instead tickets are sold out of a ticket window inside Brayboy Hall, which is next to the parking area that is closest to the field), so unless you buy tickets online you will need to stop there before leaving the parking lot, to cross the street before entering the stadium. Tickets are $15 and they take cash or credit cards, but there is no physical ticket – just a bar code texted to your phone. Once you get inside the stadium it is pretty easy to move around – there is plenty of room given the small crowd, so you can sit wherever you want, either close to the field or in the upper portion of the grandstand. There are also more than enough bathrooms; just note as stated earlier that the concessions lines tend to be a little long. Pathway to Main Entrance, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Return on Investment 3 At only $15 it may be worthwhile to attend a football game at Johnson C. Smith University, especially if your team is playing in Charlotte that day. Be aware however that this is a no-frills kind of experience – don’t get me wrong, it is fine if you are a football purist and are just here to witness the greatest sport ever played. But be aware there is no mascot and no fan contests, and really nothing else going on except the game and the performances by the marching band (Blue Satin is a great band by the way, the halftime performance especially is worth listening to). I will say though that I didn’t see the marching band ever actually go out onto the field – the pregame performance was from a spot on the track in front of the grandstand, and for halftime the band stayed in the grandstand and played from their seats. Extras 2 A big plus for the great Bull statue in the end zone, and another plus for the free pom-poms which the staff gives out – I saw numerous fans in the stands waving these as they cheered during the game. Bull Statue, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Sandusky Speedway 614 West Perkins Ave Sandusky, OH 44870 Sandusky Speedway website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 5,000 A Short Track in Your Neighborhood Middle-America is chock full of short tracks. Sandusky Speedway is one of those that is nestled in the middle of a midwestern town. While Sandusky isn’t exactly a small town, it isn’t a thriving metropolis. It does have small-town aspects, and one of those is having a local short track. Unlike some short tracks, Sandusky is home to a half-mile paved track, not dirt. Food & Beverage 3 Sandusky has a bar and concessions stand located under the grandstands, featuring some cold beer and good old-fashioned burger-and-fries type of stadium food for a respectable price. There is also a TV nearby that is usually tuned to sports of some kind. The food is freshly cooked and not frozen, which makes the taste so much better than some stadium fare. If you grab a bite to eat on the right night, you can get yourself some fresh-picked, local-grown corn on the cob. Not much is better. Expect to pay just a few bucks for a soda, and no more than $6 for a burger. Atmosphere 3 Short track racing is good fun, and Sandusky delivers on the entertainment. Compared to other short tracks (like dirt tracks), however, the racing can be a little follow-the-leader-esque with certain races. Even if that is the case, there is a good battle for the lead all but guaranteed. The drivers on track are either local legends or young guns with dreams of breaking onto the big-time tracks around America. That ambition makes them seem to drive with even more urgency. Most of the fans in the stands also know the drivers, making the cheering that much more fervent. Neighborhood 3 Sandusky Speedway is situated on the southwest portion of Sandusky, which has a mix of quaint homes across the street from some worn down strip shops that have seen better days. Even so, the area around the track isn’t a bad one, but just needs a new coat of paint. Compared to other parts of Sandusky, the track could be in a much worse place. It is down a road on its own parcel of property with a pseudo-industrial look to the area. There aren’t any hotels immediately next to the track, but a few minutes' drive down the road can take you to the highway, where there are plenty of places to stay. You’re also not far from downtown Sandusky, home to several bed and breakfasts. The same can be said for eateries. Fans 4 Local short track fans are some of the best in sports, especially racing. They know everything there is to know about the races and teams on track, and they cheer loudly for their favorites on the track. They’re also generally kind and family-friendly. As anywhere, you may get your unruly fan here and there, but for the most part, the fans are polite. Access 2 Sandusky Speedway is kind of like Disneyland. It was built in the middle of an industrial neighborhood with businesses all around, forcing the track to battle for sign space along the main road. Because of this, you’re liable to drive right past the track if you aren’t sure where it is – the sign for it looks no different than the ones next to it advertising fas stations, fast food joints, and car part stores. Also, the main road the track is located on is off the beaten path, so it is a little bit of a drive from the main highway. A GPS app on your phone certainly won’t hurt, in this case. Once you get to Sandusky Speedway, parking is plentiful but not exactly ideal – the parking is on a grassy field that can get muddy in the rain. Also, if you come on a busy night, getting out after the race can take a lot of time. Return on Investment 4 For a meager investment in ticket price (rarely do tickets go over $15), you can get your daily dose of quality racing action on a flat short track featuring street sticks, modifieds, trucks, and sprint cars. This track is so good, nearby NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team ThorSport Racing has used it for a test track at times. So, you will get some good fun out of your ticket price, and rarely do fans go home disappointed in the quality of the on-track action. Extras 4 Sandusky Speedway features a track-championship, meaning that every weekend when there is a race, the points pile up to see who is the best driver every year in their respective class – this makes what seems like an everyday short track race on the weekend an important sports event. You can also follow along with live timing, scoring, and race results with an app on your phone. Fans may also purchase a pit pass for $30, allowing you to get up close to the cars, drivers, and teams. Before the races begin, all the cars are brought on to the front straight, and the fans are welcomed down onto the track to take photos next to the cars and to meet the drivers, get autographs, and take photos. Final Thoughts If you want some good quality racing on a local short track, you should visit Sandusky Speedway. Ohio is a hot bed for good racers who are looking to make it big on the racing scene, so you will have no trouble looking for young talent while in the grandstands. The ticket prices are low, the food is cheap, and the action is top notch. What more could you ask for?

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 UW Milwaukee Panther Arena 400 W Kilbourn Ave Milwaukee, WI 53203 Milwaukee Wave website UW Milwaukee Panther Arena website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 9,652 The Big Black Wave in Milwaukee The Milwaukee Wave holds the honor of being the United States’s oldest professional soccer team, debuting in 1984 as members of the American Indoor Soccer Association. Throughout six different indoor leagues, three venue changes, six retired jersey numbers, and six championships, the Wave have played continuously in the city of Milwaukee since the Reagan administration. The Wave joined the Major Arena Soccer League in 2014 in the renamed UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The arena opened in 1950 as the Milwaukee Arena and has been known by multiple names that include the MECCA Arena and the U.S. Cellular Arena. The 9,500-seat capacity for the Wave creates an ideal canvas for one of indoor soccer’s biggest draws in attendance figures. The arena saw a $10.5 million renovation in 1998 that included a new video scoreboard, refurbished seats, wider concourses, and lighting and sound improvement. For a facility that was built in the mid 20th century, it holds up quite impressively with unobstructed views and excellent sightlines. The Wave has played in six major indoor soccer leagues, but continue to be a popular entity within the sports community of Milwaukee with an educational outreach program that has reached 70 schools, popular kids club packages, and being a child-friendly destination. The team and the arena make for a perfect setting for spending an afternoon or evening watching indoor soccer. Food & Beverage 3 There is a nice selection of menu options at the arena, with many of them including a type of sausage sandwich, but then again this is Milwaukee, so what do you expect? The hot dog, bratwurst, and Italian sausage sandwiches are well worth the price of between $4.50-$5. They are fresh, tasty, and come with the option of grilled peppers and sausages. There are more exotic sausage varieties that include apple and gouda and chipotle cheddar that are priced at $7. The arena also serves hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, pizza and ice cream cones for fair prices. RC Cola, 7Up, Big Red and Sun Drop soft drinks are served at the concession stands and beer prices start at $7 for domestic bottles. All of the products are hot, fresh, and quite delicious. Perhaps a basket of cheese curds added to the menu sometime in the future? Atmosphere 4 The Wave has been one of the better teams in terms of attendance in indoor soccer and continually draw well to their home games. It is amazing how much the atmosphere can be altered when you have 3,000 plus fans rooting for the home side. However, there is much more to the atmosphere than just the sheer presence of fans and supporters. The Wave does a great job creating theme nights for their 10 home games that include Ghostbusters Night, Hot Wheels Night, and Superheroes and Princesses Night. During breaks between periods and halftime, there are activities on the field that you would find in many minor league baseball stadiums. There are three-minute games of bubble soccer during halftime for fans, dancing contests, dizzy soccer shootouts, and t-shirt tosses into the crowd. Then there is the all black turf that has been well received by players and fans. The synthetic playing surface was installed before the start of the 2014-15 MASL season and results have been positive. The color of the surface grabs your attention and creates another vibe for the sport of indoor soccer. There is also an array of music played throughout the game that runs the gamut from Metallica, Van Halen, Taylor Swift, and Spice Girls.“Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis is played after every Wave goal scored, and a lucky fan receives an autographed soccer ball that is kicked into the stands after each goal scored. After each game, the Wave tour around the field and allow fans to walk on the turf to seek autographs from players. There is a rich history with the club and the six championship banners adorn the wall of the coliseum behind the goal, along with banner honoring six retired numbers. There is a section on the main concourse for merchandise featuring the Wave’s colors of black, neon green, and light blue. The team sells a commemorative neon yellow arm sleeve that the Wave players wear in honor of former teammate Brett Wiesner who passed away in 2014. A portion of sales of arm sleeves goes towards a fund in his name. Neighborhood 5 The arena is located in the downtown section of Milwaukee and near many of the city’s eclectic neighborhoods of bars, restaurants, museums, shops, and other points of retail. The Historic Third Ward, Fifth Ward, and Waterfront districts are a short walk or taxi ride from the facility. The Milwaukee Brat House is an ideal spot for a bratwurst sandwich and fried cheese curds, and the Wisconsin Cheese Mart allows visitors to sample numerous types of cheeses and enjoy a few pints in the Uber House next door with many of the beers priced around the $4 mark. The Ale Asylum is located on the waterfront and features Cuban tacos and curry chicken sandwiches. In Red Arrow Park, take a break from eating and drinking, and enjoy some ice skating with the friends, family, or that special someone. In the Historic Third Ward District are Cafe Benelux, Water Buffalo, and the Wicked Hop that offers amazing options for brunch or just enjoying some great atmosphere. Across the street is the Milwaukee Public Market that is home to fresh fish, meats, a wine and beer bar, cafes, retail, and other culinary delights. Down the road in the Fifth Ward is the Milwaukee Brewing Company that offers tours on Saturdays and the Central Standard Craft Distillery for $4 Bloody Mary’s done the old-fashion way on Sundays. A little further away by car, Honey Pie Cafe serves one of the best pies anywhere. The bourbon fudge and blueberry cream pies are worth ruining your diet. Fans 4 The Wave has a truly dedicated brass of supporters who have been attending games since 1984.These are not your ordinary fans.They cheer, shout, and scream when things are not going their way on the black turf.The Wave faithful are concentrated on the action on the field and do a great job of creating much of the atmosphere here at the arena.They will also serenade the team after a victory at home and pay respect to former players who make appearances at games.The MASL needs more fans like them at every city in the league. Access 4 The downtown setting makes it rather simple to get off of I-94 and find the arena. Parking is $5-$10 and if it is a Sunday or after 6 PM, meter parking is free. The closer you are to the arena, the more of the chance that the parking price will be around $10. Once inside the facility, it easy to get around to the bathrooms and concession stands. You will not be able to completely walk around the seating area without bumping into seating and railings, but for a building that was built in 1950, it is still a great gathering spot for the 21st-century sports fan. Return on Investment 3 The price options for tickets range from $16.50, $21.50, $26.50, $31.50, $46.50, and $56.50. The $16.50 price point is well worth the admission price to the Wave, but a $46 and $56 price tag seems somewhat high for indoor soccer, even though it is for seating in the first three rows of the arena. Compared to other teams in the league, the Wave ticket prices are somewhat on the higher side. However, the team is a first-class organization and worthy of a visit to any stadium traveler. Extras 4 The Wave receive extra points for their black field surface, another point for the admiration the team gives to its fans during the game that includes kicking autograph soccer balls into the stands, a third point for its user-friendly website to find out about tickets and schedules, and a fourth and final point for being the longest-running professional soccer team in the United States. Final Thoughts All indoor soccer games should be like a Milwaukee Wave game experience. The sport has seen its up and downs since the original Major Indoor Soccer League ceased operations in 1992, but the Wave have managed to be an anomaly in a sea of defunct indoor soccer franchises. Attending a Wave game should be on a list for any sports enthusiast who may or may not enjoy soccer. I have to commend the Wave for being a top level organization and if I ever find myself back in Milwaukee, I look forward to attending another game.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Nissan Stadium 1 Titans Way Nashville, TN 37213 Music City Bowl website Nissan Stadium website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 69,143 Music City Football, College Style Nissan Stadium opened in 1999, and has hosted the Music City Bowl ever since. The stadium is also home to the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, as well as the FCS Tennessee State Tigers. The stadium is located on the east bank of the Cumberland River, right across the water from downtown Nashville, and has a capacity of 69,143. Besides football, the stadium is also used for concerts, soccer matches, and other events. The Music City Bowl pairs teams from the ACC and SEC, and is currently sponsored by Franklin American Mortgage Company. Food & Beverage 3 Nissan Stadium offers a wide variety of food and beverage options, including plenty of alcohol, but has been criticized for long lines during games. Prices are typical for pro stadium fare, but are more than you would pay at a college football venue. Concession choices include brand names such as Logan’s Roadhouse, Jack Daniels, Papa John’s, and Bojangles, as well as locally-themed restaurants such as Nashgrille and Titan Tavern, plus some generic stands. All of the typical fare is available, such as burgers, chicken sandwiches and tenders, barbecue, hot dogs, and pizza, as well as less common items such as fried shrimp and turkey legs – these items range in cost from $4.50 to $10. You can also find snack items such as nachos, cotton candy, pretzels, funnel cake, fries, and peanuts for around $4 to $6. Drink options include coffee, bottled water, soda from the fountain or in bottles (Coke products), and Gatorade – these cost $4 to $5, except for the souvenir cups, which are a little more. You can also get beer and a wide selection of cocktails, including frozen margaritas, starting at $9. They also sell non-alcoholic beer for $5. Atmosphere 3 The Music City Bowl is one of the more marquee games of the bowl season, and as such, draws a pretty good crowd. In addition, the game is played in a pro stadium, which means a great venue with comfortable seats, good sightlines, and lots of amenities. All of the seats at Nissan stadium are plastic, bucket-style chair backs with cup holders, so they are pretty comfortable. But the best thing about the stadium is the mammoth scoreboards in each zone – each is several stories high, and makes it easy to see replays, even if you are way up in the cheap seats. You will also see numerous Nissan automobiles on angled platforms above the entry gates, as well as in the end zones, and there are plenty of covered tables on the concourses below each scoreboard where you can recline while you dine. And of course you will see plenty of signage from Franklin American Mortgage Company, the bowl’s title sponsor. The entertainment during the Music City Bowl is a little underwhelming. As with most bowl games, you can watch both bands perform during halftime, and each team will do their usual display when they come onto the field before the game, including typical stunts like billowing smoke, running out of a giant inflatable helmet tunnel, and the usual mascot antics. There is also a bomber flyover, crewed by at least one alum from the participating schools. But there are no giveaways to be had, and souvenir stand prices are a little on the high side for items such as Music City Bowl pins, shirts, and hats. Neighborhood 5 Nissan Stadium is within walking distance of downtown Nashville, so there are plenty of great restaurants nearby, and more than enough to do if you come for the weekend, or even a week or more. It is very easy to get downtown via a pedestrian bridge over the river, where you will find plenty of restaurants, including Broadway Brewhouse and Wildhorse Saloon. Broadway Brewhouse has a huge beer selection and a lot of great food you wouldn’t expect from a bar, while Wildhorse Saloon offers live music, dancing, lots of great food and drinks, and a crazy atmosphere, especially after dark. But if you just want a quick snack before or after the game, there is actually a gas station in Nissan Stadium’s parking lot – not the greatest fare from a quality standpoint, but a lot cheaper than what you will pay inside. Nashville offers plenty to do if you want to spend some extra time before or after the game, including mainstays like the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (which actually includes quite a bit from Elvis). However, there are also some other attractions which may not be as well known, but are every bit as worthwhile, such as cruising down the river on the General Jackson Showboat, or visiting the Johnny Cash Museum, Centennial Park, or Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, which is actually a working cotton farm – you can even pick some as a souvenir. There are too many hotels to mention, but you will find plenty in the downtown area, or further away (closer to the airport) if you are looking to save some green. Getting to and from your hotel will be pretty simple, as the stadium is crisscrossed by a couple of different major freeways. Fans 4 Some teams from the ACC and SEC are closer than others, so depending on who is invited, you may see a little more of one color than the other. But whichever teams show up, the crowd is sure to be intense – you won’t necessarily see a sellout, but the fans will be very loud and very into the game. Nissan Stadium holds nearly seventy thousand at full capacity, and just before kickoff the Music City Bowl will be pretty packed with fans from both sides, perhaps forty or fifty thousand strong. You will see a lot of movement during the game as fans make their way to and from the concession stands and facilities, but there will still be plenty of crowd noise as both sides cheer their team on for the final game of the season. Access 4 Nissan Stadium is easy to get to, since it is located near several freeways, and there is a pedestrian bridge that goes to downtown. There is also a sidewalk on the I-24 overpass that you can use if you park on the same side of the river as the stadium. Parking in the lots right outside the stadium will cost $25, but I never recommend these, because they take too long to get out of after the game. You are probably better off parking on the other side of I-24 (on the east side of the stadium) or near downtown (on the other side of the river, to the west) where you can find spots for $10 or $15 – either of these locales are only a short 5-10 minute walk from the stadium. You may also be able to find free parking along the street in either area. There are entrances on all sides of Nissan Stadium; the ticket office is on the north end if you need will-call or did not purchase tickets in advance. Since there are so many entrances, the lines to get in are not very long, and move very quickly. Be aware that security is a little tighter at pro stadiums than at college venues, so you may have a problem if your bag or purse is too big. There are several ramps dotted around Nissan Stadium that take you to the upper levels, and there are also some pretty massive elevator complexes you can use to make the approximately seven-story climb. In line with the car theme, the elevators have giant pictures of tires marking their locations. Surprisingly, using the elevators is actually a lot quicker than you might think – there are multiple elevators in each bank, so there is rarely a line to get on. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to bowl games can be pretty expensive, especially if you want to sit in the lower level. But if your favorite team is in the game, it is generally worthwhile, depending on how far you have to travel. At the Music City Bowl, tickets in the upper deck start at under $40, including Ticketmaster fees, so you can save a little money by waiting to buy them at the door, which shouldn’t be a problem, as they won’t sell out. Unfortunately, the upper level seats aren’t that great, since they are so high up, and sneaking into a better section is a little hit or miss, at least until late in the game, since they do check tickets in some areas. In fact, they even check tickets before letting fans get on the elevators, which is one reason they don’t have much of a line there. That said, you are better off buying a lower-level ticket, which could be $100 or more. Or you could buy the cheap seats and try to stand on the plaza in one of the end zones. Extras 3 The ridiculously huge video boards are a big plus, and having the cars dotted around the stadium is interesting. Also, the location is very hard to beat, with so many great attractions within walking distance. Final Thoughts Attending the Music City Bowl is a great opportunity to visit Nashville, which would be well worth your time. You are also guaranteed a pretty good match-up between two Power 5 teams, so this is a great bowl game to choose when you are making your holiday football plans. Make sure you plan extra time to take in the sights, and remember to dress warmly for this night game under the lights.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 SoFi Stadium 1001 Stadium Dr Inglewood, CA 90301 Los Angeles Rams website SoFi Stadium website Year Opened: 2020 Capacity: 70,240 The NFL’s newest Jewel SoFi Stadium, home of both the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, reportedly cost $5.5 billion to build, almost three times what the previous NFL record holder, Allegiant Stadium , cost.  The stadium has a unique design in being sort of an open-air stadium with a roof, and even has a water feature, but given how much it cost to build, unfortunately disappoints in some areas, namely in terms of its access and concessions.   Food & Beverage   4 SoFi Stadium has a host of concessions options, ranging from pizza and Italian sandwiches to burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips and sandwiches, burritos, nachos, and tacos, as well as snacks and desserts such as cheesecake, churro bites, Italian custard, cookies, and brownies. There are also several full bar areas and plenty of beer, wine, soda, and bottled water, but nothing in the way of a wow factor, such as a unique item you can’t find at any other stadium. The concession stands also look overly uniform – all share the same color scheme, font, and design – making it difficult to find what you are looking for without walking around and reaching each stand’s menu.  The different levels also all appear to have the same options. Concessions prices are on the high side, as you might expect from a pro stadium (think $9 for a hot dog with no sides or $6 for a bottle of water). The food is quite tasty, however – I recommend the cheeseburger, and the souvenir soda is a good deal at $8, coming in a cool reflective cup you can take home (but no free refills). Note that there are also plenty of street vendors on the grounds around the facility, selling hot dogs, beer, and soda as you walk up to the entrance – I saw plenty of fans partaking in these even after the game was over.   Atmosphere   3 The stadium looks cool from the outside, but despite how it looks, is open a little to the elements, meaning during night games it gets a little cool inside, and I was told it can get hot inside during day games. I also heard that if you sit up in the 400 or 500 level, be careful where you sit, as the sun can get in your eyes if you sit on the wrong side – not something I expected from what looks like an indoor stadium. The Rams do a great job pulling out all the stops for fans, however – they have activities such as face painting for the kids, as well as special amenities like football tosses on the concourse for season ticket holders.  The most recent game I attended was during the holidays, and the staff laid out Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa decorations to cover all bases. There is also plenty of Rams signage and décor around, giving the venue great pops of blue and yellow color, including huge twin banners (big enough to see as you walk up to the venue) showcasing the Rams two Superbowl victories. The team takes the field amid a haze of smoke and with flags flying, and the huge circular videoboard around the ceiling gives every fan the ability to easily see replays, stats, and the action on the field – the videoboard is close to eye level for those in the 300s, but may prove a distraction for those in the 400s and 500s. Neighborhood   3 SoFi Stadium is a few miles east of LAX airport, and thus near myriad hotels at all different price levels, if you are planning to stay the weekend. However, being mostly surrounded by parking areas, there are not a lot of attractions or restaurants in the area, although there are a few mostly fast-food places a few blocks south of the venue; In-N-Out Burger and Pollo Loco (chicken) are popular chains in California. Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood are about 10 miles north-northeast of the stadium, where you can find most of the amenities the area is best known for.   Fans   5 The Los Angeles Rams have a stellar fan base – you can tell they missed their team during its long sojourn in St. Louis. The fans here during Rams games are loud and vocal, and most of them are wearing team gear, including a mix of older jerseys as well as those of newer players. Even during a disappointing season, you will see the seats mostly full, and tickets will be sold out, forcing you to scrounge around on third-party sites for tickets (more on that later).   Access   3 Getting to SoFi Stadium itself is not that bad – the location is far enough from LA city center that there isn’t too much traffic, and you won’t have to wait too long to get out after the game (I was only “stuck” in traffic for about 10 or 15 minutes before I hit smooth sailing). However, the parking is a little problematic – some lots won’t sell you parking at the gate even though the signs say credit cards are accepted, and the cheaper lots are of course a longer walk from the stadium. Also, almost all the parking near the venue is controlled by the team, so you won’t find any parking at local businesses, etc. unless you walk a long distance. Getting around the stadium once inside is similarly problematic – SoFi Stadium has 9 different levels, but there aren’t enough ways to move between them. Most fans use the escalators, but there aren’t enough of these and they are not together – for example, to get from the “main” 300 level where you enter the stadium to the 100 level, you have to walk partway around the stadium, take one escalator down to the 200 level, and then walk partway around the stadium AGAIN to find another escalator to take you down to the 100 level. You can’t take the stairs, either, as they only have exits on the 300 level – if you walk down them to the 100 or 200 level the door will be locked. There are also not enough elevators, so the wait for them is very long. The seats themselves are all chairbacks but are too narrow for the average person.   Return on Investment   3 Attending a Rams game is pricey – seats in the 100 level, even during a losing season, will cost at least $200 each including all the fees, and tickets in the nosebleeds will likely be $75 or more. The closest parking runs $120 and must be purchased in advance, and the concessions can easily run $25 or $30 per person for a main dish, side, and drink. The fans and the amenities help make the experience enjoyable, but for the uncomfortable seats, potentially too hot or too cool temperature indoors, and the high cost, this may not be a bucket list item for fans. Extras   5 The Rams do offer a ton of amenities to try and make games at SoFi a great time for fans – features include halftime performances by the likes of Busta Rhymes, a Mariachi band, a giant inflatable Rams helmet and Porsche painted in Rams décor, a pregame DJ, a country-shaped US flag during the National Anthem, team gear stores on every level, TVs everywhere so you don’t miss the action while getting food, a garden area, covered escalators to protect fans from the elements, and plenty of seating and standing areas for fans who would rather not sit in their assigned seats; all of these add to the experience at SoFi Stadium.   Final Thoughts The NFL’s newest stadium represents a pricey proposition but certainly comes with a lot of bells and whistles for fans to enjoy. If you plan ahead in terms of seating, parking, and perhaps eating before the game, you can save yourself a little hassle, and perhaps a little green as well.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 SAP Center 525 W Santa Clara St San Jose, CA 95113 Bay Area Panthers website SAP Center website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 17,562 North Cali Football Primarily the home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks , SAP Center in San Jose is a beautiful, modern facility with tons of glass elements, an iconic main entrance that looks stunning when lit up at night, and all the amenities sports fans could hope for. The Indoor Football League’s (IFL’s) Bay Area Panthers moved into the venue in 2022 – the team was founded in 2020 and was supposed to play in Oakland, but thanks to the Pandemic did not begin play until 2022. SAP Center opened in 1993 and holds 17,562 fans, but during Panthers games, the upper deck is curtained off, so for indoor football the capacity is around 10,000. The facility took about 3 years to build and cost $162.5M. Food & Beverage 3 SAP Center has a huge range of concessions options available – the prices are on the high side, and a lot of the stands that are open during San Jose Sharks games are not open during the Bay Area Panthers games. However, that fact has the interesting side benefit of leaving multiple seating areas open on the upper level of the concourse where you can sit and enjoy your food and drinks before heading to your seat. Main dish options include almost everything you can think of, such as hot dogs, nachos, Caesar salads, pizza, BBQ sandwiches (either pork, chicken, or brisket), burgers, sausages, chicken sandwiches, and chicken tenders, while sides include everything from popcorn and fruit cups to pretzels and packaged candy, while dessert options include Rita’s frozen custard. There are also several full bar areas where you get mixed drinks, wine, or beer on draft, or you can get beer from the regular stands, or from convenience store-type stand which offer a wide selection of canned alcohol, bottled water, and soda – these convenience-store type stands are becoming a fixture at sports venues around the country. Atmosphere 4 The Bay Area Panthers pull out all the stops for indoor football at SAP Center – the action begins with crazy pyrotechnics as the team comes onto the field (think towers of flame and loads of fireworks), as well as the dance team and mascot (dressed like a Bay Area Panthers player, except wearing a Batman-esque cowl instead of a football helmet). There are also all the traditional fan contests you see at games, but some come with a twist; for example, there is a contest where fans can win prizes for driving a mini football thru the upright using golf clubs. There is also plenty of dance music played all game long, including sing-a-longs and the “Carlton Cam”, where fans are invited to do their best impression of Carlton, from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, singing ‘It’s not Unusual’. Fans are also invited to have autographs signed by players after the game (though fans are not allowed on the field like they are at many indoor football venues), and the staff offers not one, but 2, after-parties for fans to enjoy – the first is held inside SAP Center itself right after the game ends, and the second is at a location in downtown San Jose for adults 21+ only (the after party at SAP Center is kid-friendly). Neighborhood 4 SAP Center is less than a mile from downtown San Jose, which offers all kinds of dining and entertainment options before or after a Panthers game. But for my money, fans need to look no further than San Jose’s Little Italy, a small warren of Italian restaurants within walking distance of the SAP center, about 3-5 blocks away. I could have spent all day inside Pour Decisions and its sister restaurants (three different restaurants which are connected inside) – you can get delicious hot Italian beef sandwiches on one end, and $5 local beer drafts or fabulous gelato (chocolate and pistachio 2 best flavors) on the other end. Note that the taxes in California are high, so when you go to pay it may seem like more than you expected. Fans 2 The fans at Bay Area Panthers games are pretty solid, but the arena is pretty empty even though some of the seats are curtained off – at an average game you might only see about 3,000 fans in attendance. The fans are pretty raucous at times, however, and the noise level is enhanced by all the dance music they play, as well as the loud horn which erupts every time the home team scores (the same sound you hear when a goal is scored during a hockey game). There is a small team gear stand inside SAP Center; the most popular item seems to be the foam finger with panther claws – you will see lots of fans inside wearing these and clawing the air with them, and not just the kids, either. Access 4 Getting to SAP Center is ridiculously easy – the venue being technically outside of downtown means you have a lot less traffic to contend with than you might expect, and the facility is only about 5 minutes from the San Jose airport – just head northeast on Highway 87 for about 4 miles and you’re there; you can see and hear jets flying over on their landing approaches as you walk into the arena. Incidentally, San Jose Mineta International Airport is a great little facility in its own right, with flights coming from and going to destinations everywhere you can think of, and rental cars on-site. You can park right outside the SAP center for $20, and once you get inside there is plenty of room to move around the concourse, myriad clean bathrooms, and short lines at the concessions, with many stands allowing self-checkout. Return on Investment 4 SAP Center tickets are mobile-only, and the venue has free Wi-Fi – tickets run $27 each including fees from Ticketmaster, which is a little on the high side for IFL venues, as some IFL teams allow you to buy at the door and avoid the fees. However, this is California, so higher ticket prices may not be unexpected, and the staff has some great amenities to offer fans, namely the beautiful venue, the massive 4-sided center scoreboard so you can easily see replays, free Panthers-themed boom sticks, and rally towels for everyone who comes through the doors, and the awesome pyrotechnics at the start of the game; fireworks galore and towers of flame dozens of feet high. Extras 5 SAP Center itself offers a lot of extras for fans as they wander the concourse – the first is as you walk into the main entrance, you are greeted by the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, a digital experience (presented by SAP) highlighting San Jose’s finest in different sports. The display features a huge LED screen that spans most of the wall facing the entrance. There is also a long wall of fame as you walk around the rest of the concourse, with bronze reliefs highlighting famous Olympians, football players, and more. The Panthers also have special uniforms for the different special events they offer, for example, camo uniforms for Military Appreciation Night. The giant 4-sided center-hung scoreboard also has smaller screens underneath, for fans who are sitting close to the field and don’t want to strain their necks looking up at the larger board. And even though the main tenant is the San Jose Sharks , you couldn’t tell that from the décor – there is so much Panthers signage all around, including video clips of live Panthers in the lead-up to kickoff. Final Thoughts San Jose is a great town to visit, and SAP Center is a venue worthy of a visit. A hockey game here may be a bit overwhelming for some, what with its larger crowds and higher ticket prices, but a Bay Area Panthers indoor football game here hits that sweet spot between entertainment, value, fun, and excitement – visit when you can.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Memorial Gym 18 Gym Drive Orono, ME 04473 Maine Black Bears website Memorial Gym website Year Opened: 1931 Capacity: 3,100 Shout ‘Til the Rafters Ring When discussing college basketball’s oldest venues, Memorial Gym on the campus of the University of Maine – Orono is often left out of the conversation. Built in 1933, Memorial Gym, lovingly referred to as “The Pit”, is one of the ten oldest Division-I basketball venues in use today. The Black Bears men’s basketball team played at “The Pit” for 50 years, however, the growing popularity of the women’s basketball team created a need for a larger venue than the 1,300-seat capacity of Memorial Gym. As a result, both teams moved to Alfond Arena , located across the parking lot and originally built as the home of UMaine hockey. Alfond would be the UMaine basketball home until 2011 when the Black Bears started bouncing between Alfond Arena  and Memorial Gym. Upon the opening of Cross Insurance Center in neighboring Bangor in 2013, however, the Black Bears would move almost exclusively off campus for its basketball games. Memorial Gym then underwent extensive renovations to update the facility, expanding its capacity to 3,100 fans, including being brought up to date with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Maine would continue splitting time between Cross Insurance Center  and Memorial Gym until the 2023-24 season, where except for the border battle with the University of New Hampshire , basketball would be exclusively played on campus. Then in January 2024, an $80 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation  was announced, which includes funding to construct Morse Arena, the future home of UMaine’s men’s and women’s basketball teams – the new facility is slated to be completed in time for the 2028 season. Currently members of the America East Conference, the Black Bears had previously been a part of the Yankee Conference dating back to 1947.   Food & Beverage   1 To say concessions are basic at Memorial Gym might be a bit generous – there are no hot food options; just popcorn, candy, cookies, and Maine Whoopie pie. Beverages include bottled soft drinks from the Pepsi line of products, along with Gatorade and Aquafina. In the name of transparency, this review was conducted over winter break, and signs did reference a second concession stand available inside the adjoining New Balance Maine Field House, but there was no sign of it being open.   Atmosphere   2 Memorial Gym is a relic when it comes to college basketball arenas, a true time capsule that brings back memories of the era of cagers.  At the time it was built, not a lot of thought was given to obstructed views created by steel beams that frame the center court section of seating. The historic nature of the building also creates some unique features – there are not many college basketball venues that still have wooden seats throughout, and still have a wood plank ceiling. A large HD video board is attached to the far end wall and provides a video feed of the game, cues for fans to get loud, and advertisements during breaks in the action. It also keeps track of individual player points and foul totals. In addition, smaller, more traditional scoreboards with basic time and score information hang from the wall on each end of the floor at the court level.  Timeouts are commonly filled with various fan cams that are popular with younger Black Bear fans, and while students are on campus, the pep band and cheerleaders fill the second tier of seating, which certainly adds to the overall college basketball experience. Memorial Gym is everything that basketball in Maine is – a small gym that can get packed and warm during the cold Maine winters. Despite upgrades to become a bit more modern and accessible, Memorial Gym still comes with limitations that make the environment a bit of a challenge when considering the overall comfort of the facility.   Neighborhood   4 Orono is a vibrant, small college town that, despite its somewhat remote location, gives visitors just enough food and beverage options in town to make it worthwhile to arrive a few hours before tip-off. The UMaine campus is separated from the Orono neighborhood of Marsh Island by the Stillwater River. Marsh Island is just over a mile from the athletics facilities and is home to a handful of bars, restaurants, and breweries. One popular spot, Pat’s Pizza on Mill Street, has been an Orono staple since 1931. Orono has a small town center but does pack a lot into that area’s relatively small size. One of the more popular pregame establishments is Orono Brewing Company – while their craft brews are their most popular attraction, there is also a strong food menu. The town of Orono also neighbors the better-known and more populous Bangor, which might be the best option if you are looking for lodging or entertainment to fill the time before or after a UMaine basketball game. On campus, Memorial Gym is clustered with the other UMaine athletic facilities – just across the parking lot is the aforementioned Alfond Arena , as well as Harold Alfond Sports Stadium , which hosts Maine Black Bears football, field hockey, and track & field.   Fans   2 Attendance at Black Bears men’s basketball tends to be a bit inconsistent at Memorial Gym, though in a bit of an oddity, on-campus games during school breaks tend to have larger attendance numbers than those that occur when students are on campus. The Orono community also does a decent job filling the seats at The Pit as part of weekend family plans- weekend games routinely draw over 1,200 fans, whereas typical crowds with students on campus have 500 to 700. While many of these are weekday games, with an undergraduate enrollment of nearly 10,000 the small attendance figures are a bit disappointing.   Access   2 The University of Maine campus, in the central Maine town of Orono, is a bit secluded from most of the population in the rest of the state. The main artery of travel up the eastern seaboard, Interstate 95, does pass through Orono, however, so it does at least provide a direct route to town. The UMaine athletic facilities are easily accessible from the interstate, and parking is directly in front of the main entry to Memorial Gym. Memorial Gym only has one entry point that is used to access the court, which is fine for early arrivers, but the closer to tip-off the more the long, narrow entry point can become backed up. The age of Memorial Gym also definitely creates some issues when it comes to simply accessing the gym’s seating areas – the floor seats have a direct route from the entrance, but navigating between the seating along the sideline and baseline requires going down one set of stairs and coming back up another set. There is an elevator to access the upper-level seating across from the team benches, but there does not seem to be the same access on the other side. The setup of Memorial Gym is a bit unfortunate in that the entire front of the building is used for visiting team access and is not accessible to fans. On the plus side, the lobby of the building is home to the University of Maine Athletics Hall of Fame, with photos and bios of its inductees.   Return on Investment   4 Balcony seating starts at $15 when purchased at the door, which seems consistent with schools at similar levels. However, even adding a flat fee of $2.25 per ticket, purchasing online is less expensive than waiting to buy a ticket at the door – the same $15 balcony ticket purchased at the door is just $12.25 when purchased online. Floor-level seats are available for under $25. There is no cost for parking, and prices at the limited concessions seem fair. In all, UMaine basketball is an extremely affordable entertainment option.   Extras   2 If you can access the main lobby at court level following the game, the University of Maine Athletics Hall of Fame shows the history of UMaine’s brightest stars throughout the school’s more than 140-year history of athletics in Orono – the Hall of Fame is a nice look at the athletes who have written the story of Black Bear athletics. Following weekend games, players are made available for an on-court autograph session; this is a nice way for the team to make connections with the community, as well as inspire the next generation of Maine hoopsters.   Final Thoughts Some of the inconsistencies with men’s basketball attendance could be tied to not just the struggles the Black Bears have had putting wins in the win column, but also that they have not had a consistent facility to call home for quite some time. Between playing at Alfond Arena , which was not designed for basketball, and traveling to Bangor, the Black Bears have not established a true home court in quite some time. The future does show promise, with facility upgrades on the way and an increased focus on drawing some of the top high school talent in the state to Orono. The coming years could see the Black Bears head back to Bangor for part of their schedule if crowd sizes spike as they are anticipated to over the next few seasons. If given the opportunity before Morse Arena is completed, taking in a game at The Pit might be a priority, while the historic venue is still accessible.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Falcon Park 130 N Division St Auburn, NY 13021 Auburn Doubledays website Falcon Park website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 2,800 Memories for Generations Leo Pinckney Field at Falcon Park is the home of the Auburn Doubledays, but the stadium is usually referred to simply as Falcon Park. The Doubledays compete in the short-season single A New York-Penn League. They are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals , with a roster of recently drafted/signed players of the Nationals. Falcon Park was constructed in 1927, with a reconstructed second version completed in 1995. The park is named after an old social group, the Polish Falcons, that fraternal organization owned the ballpark until 1959, the year a local minor league group bought the venue. The current owner is Auburn Community Baseball, a nonprofit group authorized by the city, which bought the ballpark in 1980. The field itself was named in honor of Leo Pinckney in 2004 – Leo Pinckney was an Auburn citizen sports writer, known as Auburn’s “King of Baseball.” He was a crucial figure in bringing the New York-Penn League to Auburn, but his involvement continued into 1984, when Pinckney was named the New York-Penn League’s president, and the league eventually named the division in which Auburn competes after him. In 1993 Pinckney also helped lead the effort to build the current Falcon Park. Although the main tenant is the Auburn Doubledays. Falcon Park has been a centerpiece for the community. The venue has held concerts, been used as a racing speedway for children, and is home to the Auburn Maroons High School baseball program. Food & Beverage 3 Falcon Park has the standard fare of baseball food without the inflated prices. The main concessions stands are on the outer promenade, behind home plate, and on the first base line. There are also smaller stands located on the third baseline under the stands, and near the stadium’s souvenir stand. The concessions menu offers selections from local meat companies such as Hofmann Italian Sausage and hot dogs, along with Indelicato’s hamburgers; the costs for these range from $3.50 to $5. Chicken tenders, French fries, soft pretzels, and nachos are also offered, with the costliest of these being $5 – this is remarkably low compared to other ballparks. The highest-cost food item at the main concessions stands is $6, namely the Veggie burger or wrap. There is some thought given to healthier snack foods under the first base grandstand, at Little Abner’s Snack Shack – the Snack Shack offers pretzels w/hummus ($5), yogurt, popcorn, water, and Gatorade. The ballpark also offers a BBQ menu, which is separate from the main concessions. The BBQ stand is situated on the first base side of Falcon Park, where the Gould Hotel in Seneca Falls keeps the ballpark serving local fare. The menu includes pulled pork pockets (with pineapple and coleslaw), brisket sandwiches, and loaded pork nachos; as BBQ is higher in cost than other items, $8 to $10 isn’t an unreasonable price. However, tasting Central New York’s salt potatoes is a must – salt potatoes are a regional dish and a staple for cookouts. At $3 for the small size or $5 for the large size, you can taste the cuisine of salt potatoes – this delicacy has been a favorite since the early 1900s and traces back even farther to the Irish Salt Miners in Syracuse. The beverage service at Falcon Park is impressive for a minor league stadium. The newly expanded first base deck (3700 sq. ft.) focuses on craft breweries. In addition, Bell’s, Brooklyn Brewery, Dogfish Head, Lagunitas Brewing, and Ommegang are available at the Craft Beer Corner. Wine Slushies made with wine from nearby Montezuma Winery are available as well for non-beer drinkers, and the ballpark also serves Pepsi products. Soda, bottled water, 16oz Slush Puppies, lemonade, Gatorade, iced tea, and coffee are all $2 to $3, which is a great price relief compared to other ballparks. Overall, the food and beverages at Falcon Park are plentiful enough to satisfy any fan's appetite. Atmosphere 3 The Doubledays game day atmosphere begins an hour before game time when the gates open. Live music is played on the patio deck in right field, and the home team Auburn Doubledays uses the third base dugouts and warms up along the Holiday Inn Party Pavilion in left field. The Doubledays staff is friendly and helpful, especially the elder staff, as they enjoy being a part of the game day atmosphere at Falcon Park. There are opportunities for player autographs at the entrance to the ballpark, behind where programs are sold. The programs include a scorecard so fans can follow the tradition of keeping score (although there is a scoreboard located in center field). The outfield wall is covered with business advertisements from companies around the Finger Lakes region. Abner, the team’s mascot, walks around the ballpark welcoming fans, signing autographs, and posing for pictures. Abner is perhaps one of the most unique in all of baseball: an old-timey mustachioed representation of Abner Doubleday, credited inventor of the all-American sport. Abner and the staff keep you involved with family games and challenges between innings, and have other entertainment consisting of minor league standards such as races, contests, and quizzes; there is also a Kids Zone behind the first base grandstand near the restrooms. Neighborhood 3 Leo Pickney Field at Falcon Park is in Auburn, New York. The ballpark is situated a couple of miles from downtown, next to the city’s Casey Park and Recreation Center. The City of Auburn, with its population of 27,000 people, is located at the north end of Owasco Lake in New York State’s Finger Lakes region. The City of Auburn has been an important place in American history, and that history can be relived in the homes of William Seward and Harriet Tubman. William Seward, a former United States Secretary of State, was instrumental in the negotiation of the Alaska purchase in 1867. Harriet Tubman, meanwhile, was born into slavery, yet became one of America’s most famous abolitionists and political activists, contributing to rescuing 70 enslaved persons through the Underground Railroad – she is laid to rest in Auburn’s Fort Hill Cemetery. Besides the history here, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is 15 miles west of Auburn. The wildlife refuge is situated on the north side of another Finger Lake, Cayuga Lake, and the land on the west side of Cayuga Lake and around Seneca Lake is home to the Finger Lakes wineries – there are plenty of winery tours available to the public. And if wineries aren’t your forte, then a quick 10-minute drive east will take you to the beautiful village of Skaneateles, on the north end of Skaneateles Lake. Skaneateles Lake is the highest in altitude in the US, ahe cleanest of the Finger Lakes, and the second cleanest lake in the country behind Crater Lake in Oregon. The Auburn restaurant scene begins at the Sunset Restaurant on North Division Street – this restaurant has been a staple of Auburn since 1933. Another historic restaurant is Hunter’s Dinerant, which is on Genesee Street overlooking the Owasco River, which runs through the center of town. There are also a couple of local breweries that serve food; the first is Prison City Pub and Brewery, whose name references Auburn’s nearby correctional facility, while the other is The Good Shepherd’s Brewing Company. All these are very good choices, however, my recommendation would be to take a short drive east to Skaneateles and find a table at Doug’s Fish Fry. Fans 3 The New York-Penn League’s attendance statistics don’t seem to favor the Auburn fan base – the team only averages about 1,200 fans per game, filling only half of Falcon Park’s seating capacity; the only team lower in attendance is the Batavia Muckdogs . However, because the New York-Penn League has expanded over the years beyond its namesake two states into Connecticut, West Virginia, and Ohio, the Muckdogs are the only nearby team. Therefore, when the Auburn Doubledays play the Muckdogs, Batavia’s visiting fans seem to invade Falcon Park. Falcon Park’s stands are filled with families and local boosters that stay involved and enjoy the tradition of spending time at the ballpark – fans stay involved with the game and support the team on the field. The fact that the City of Auburn has been able to keep a minor league baseball team playing in Falcon Park since 1958 (except during 1981) shows that Auburn loves its baseball team; so much so that the Auburn Doubledays and the Washington Nationals recently announced a 2-year extension of their player development contract, to run through the 2020 season. Access 3 Auburn is in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Central New York. The closest airport to Falcon Park is about 35 miles away at Syracuse’s Hancock International Field, but other smaller airports can be utilized in Ithaca, Binghamton, and Rochester. These airports are all about an hour from Auburn, with the larger airport in Buffalo being a two-hour drive across Western New York. The drive to Falcon Park from Syracuse’s airport is an easy drive down the New York Thruway (I-90) to the Weedsport Exit via State Road 34. Auburn’s Falcon Park can also be accessed using State Route 5 or US Route 20 – US Route 20 is the longest surface road in New York. Parking for Auburn Doubledays games is free on North Division Street via a large parking lot across from Falcon Park. Auburn also has public transportation – the CENRTO Auburn Buses Route 4 Casey Park stop ($1) serves the park, and the CENRTO can be reached using Amtrak, Greyhound, and Trailways. Falcon Park is split into two seating areas with a walkway that separates the two; the main stands are covered and host the press box behind home plate, while the general admission bleacher seats extend out to the picnic areas on each side of the ballpark. There are two open entrances, one on each baseline, that allow entrance to the stands – the grandstands have blue plastic seating on the lower level and metal bleachers on the upper level. Return on Investment 5 Auburn Doubledays single-game tickets cost less than a movie ticket. There are three levels of pricing inside Falcon Park; the box seats cost $10, and these seats bring you closest to the field, while center reserved is $8, which is the upper seating behind home plate. The third level is the bleachers for $6, which are general admission tickets. However, the Doubledays offer daily ticket specials that will lower the cost – the promotion schedule is constant throughout the year, and includes family four packs for $44 on Fridays and Saturdays; these four packs include four general admission tickets, four popcorns, four hot dogs, and four sodas. In addition, Sunday games support the community with free tickets for teachers, while Monday games are Auburn’s Salute to Service, with free general admission tickets for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. Tuesdays are Two for One Tuesdays, and Wednesday games can be free as well if Auburn produces wins on the field. Lastly, group outings to the party tents for 10 or more people are $9 per person with all-you-can-eat food. The amazing return on investment isn’t just ticket prices at Falcon Park – the affordable food and beverage prices also really help reduce a family’s expense on entertainment. Extras 5 Auburn’s New York-Penn League teams have been named the Yankees , Mets , Phillies , Twins , Astros , Red Stars, Sunsets, and Americans. However, the current name Auburn Doubledays is perfect, and the Doubledays can change MLB affiliates without losing that name. This name is in honor of Abner Doubleday, who is credited with inventing baseball, and who spent his early years in Auburn. The Abner mascot, with his likeness to Abner Doubleday, along with his signature mustache provides Auburn with the marketing slogan “Our mascot has the best mustache in minor league baseball” – the Doubledays logo with the mustache across the letter A and ballcap on top is very creative. Falcon Park is a community staple recognizing the history of baseball in Auburn, as well as the fans that have supported baseball in Auburn. There are park dedication plaques and construction donor plaques on the outer wall of the park, and the main entrance gate has many recognition memorials to individuals, including Bill Graney, Jr. (former GM), Thomas J. Poole (baseball instructor), Pat Penafeather (groundskeeper), Dr. Thomas Stapleton (team and league executive), and Leo A. Pinckney (local journalist “Mr. Baseball”). There is also a championship street sign on North Division Road in front of Falcon Park – Auburn has won eight league titles, with the 2007 championship being the most recent. The amazing Doubledays staff, including General Manager Adam Winslow and Assistant GMs Shane Truman and Andy Collier, can be seen at every Doubledays game interacting with fans. Adam and Shane are Auburn natives who both grew up watching baseball at Falcon Park. Adam has a huge connection with baseball in Auburn, going back to his grandfather being friends with Leo Pinckney. His parents were season ticket holders, and his sisters worked at Falcon Park in the summers. Adam is creating a family atmosphere for the Auburn community to enjoy because he understands the importance of baseball at Falcon Park. Final Thoughts There have been baseball played at Falcon Park since the New York Yankees’ Murderers Row. The old wooden grandstand-type facility from 1927-1994 provided Auburn fans a place to learn, play, and enjoy the sport of baseball. Today, Falcon Park II continues to uphold the tradition of baseball in Auburn. Baseball at Falcon Park is much bigger than the game itself – the games are a tradition for Auburn, providing families with memories for generations that last a lifetime.

Photos by Chuck Utech, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 PhilSports Arena University of Life St Pasig, The Philippines NLEX Road Warriors website PhilSports Arena website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 10,000 Rare Air Editor’s Note: Since publishing this review, the team Air21 Express were sold and renamed the NLEX Road Warriors. Welcome to basketball in the Philippines! The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) played its first game in 1975 and is the first professional basketball league in Asia, and second oldest in the world, behind the NBA. The PBA features 10 teams. Rules are a mix of NBA and international. A season is comprised of three “conferences” called the Philippine Cup, Commissioner’s Cup, and Governors’ Cup. Winning all conferences in a given season is called a “Grand Slam.” Each conference has particular roster requirements and ends in a play-off with a champion. The Philippine Cup rosters are comprised of players of Filipino descent. This Cup is widely thought of as the most prestigious of the three. For the Commissioner’s Cup, the ninth and tenth place teams from the previous conference are allowed one import no taller than 6′ 11”. The remaining teams have a 6′ 9″ restriction. In Governors’ Cup play, the rule is 6′ 5″ for all teams. FIBA (International Basketball Federation will crown a World Champion in August, and then current teams draft and prepare for the next three conferences. The Air21 Express joined the PBA in 2011 and are led by 41 year old Asi Taulava, considered an all-time PBA great. He has had a very high profile career in the PBA dating back to 1999, and has been a member of several Philippine Nation squads. Taulava can easily be identified as he is one of the larger players in the league, and sports a blonde mohawk. The Express won their first play-off series in team history last conference in 2014, before being eliminated by the Super Coffee Mixers. Unlike basketball in the United States, there are no home arenas. There are two main facilities that host PBA games, the Smart Araneta Coliseum (site of the Thrilla in Manilla) and The Mall of Asia Arena (MOA). In times where Smart Araneta and MOA are busy, Philsports Arena and Cuneta Astrodome are used in their place. Built in 1981, PhilSports (also known as The Ultra, and the PSC) regularly hosted PBA games from 1985-1992 and 1999-2007. Now it is relegated to a role as a substitute facility. The stadium is showing age, but as a venue needed to pinch hit from time to time, it does suffice. In 2014 it did host the deciding Game Four in the finals. Food & Beverage 2 There are essentially no traditional concession stands inside PhilSports Arena. Instead, there are scores of vendors scouring the seats to sell hot dogs, popcorn, chips, bottles of soda and bottled water. The cost is reasonable. A hot dog with customary mayonnaise and ketchup is 50 PHP (about $1.15 in US dollars), a large tub of cheese popcorn is 75 PHP. A large bag of chips is 50 PHP as is a 16 ounce bottle of Coca-Cola. A 12 ounce bottle of water is 25 PHP. Price is not an issue, especially with the convenience of so many vendors eager to assist fans. While the menu is limited, the hot dog is tasty. There are no beer sales inside. Walking in, signs are posted prohibiting bringing outside beverage or food into the building. Atmosphere 3 Three main gates allow access into PhilSports. The arena essentially has three levels for seating: Patron, Box, and Gallery. Each gate is level specific and there isn’t easy access in between. The Patron seats include VIP and lower box seats. The courtside VIP seats are blue, plastic lawn chairs. The Box seats are a hard colored material that is akin to a seat used on a third grade schoolhouse desk. There are no drink holders and seats are fairly uncomfortable. The Gallery is first come, first served, bench seating. I would recommend that for a first time visitor or family. Seats in the Gallery are 125 PHP (about $2.87 US dollars). Unlike more modern arenas, PhilSports Arena does not have a central, overhanging scoreboard. It does feature two small score indicators in opposite corners and projection screens that display the game action. Those are located in the Gallery behind each basket. Music during the game is a standard instrumental beat. Popular music is played during breaks and intermissions. Both teams are announced as “Your” team. The announcer is very well understood. He speaks English nearly throughout except when asking for everyone to rise for the National Anthem. He also gives great explanations of referee calls (“Warning on coach Ryan Gregorio for resentment to a call”.) Another good explanation was given when a player was assessed a Flagrant Foul One. PBA rules state he must sit for three minutes of play. Sound is very good in the PSC. During intermissions a team of three guys come out on the court and shoot t shirts into the crowd with a slingshot. I appreciate that they shoot those high into the cheap seats. At halftime, one of those fellas sports a harness with backboard on hoop on top and they pass around a small ball to fans to shoot. Made baskets win a prize… a two day supply of Vitamin C. Neighborhood 1 Located in the heart of Metro Manila, PhilSports Arena sits in a fairly residential district. I would not recommend much travel around the area on foot, especially if you are by yourself. Across the street, there is a restaurant named Dinky’s that serves local barbecue. There is essentially no local street parking and no tailgating. Outside there is a vendor selling dim sum, but they were not set up to sell anything except bottles of water at the time I was there. Fans 5 The fans are supportive, loud and knowledgeable. The fan experience is well worth the price of admission. They cheer their team, refrain from excessive abuse, and engage in friendly back and forth with the opposing squad. It is quite enjoyable. A chant of “D-Fense” is very common. When a team makes a big shot, fans from that team will hold up a jersey or handmade banner (ranging from poster board and magic marker to a fancy, stitched felt sign) of the player. The same thing happens with a great steal or block. Most of the “super” fans are behind the respective hoops. When buying tickets, fans are advised as to what side each team will be sitting on so they can plan accordingly. Officiating in the PBA can be sketchy. I appreciate how the fans let the coaches do the majority of the complaining. They focus on supporting their team. They are very loud and very proud all game long. Access 2 PhilSports Arena is easy to get to, whether by taxi, bus, or jeepney and is more centrally located to allow a faster experience. A 20-30 minute taxi ride is approximately 200 PHP. There are bus and jeepney stops nearby. Jeepney is essentially a crowded public transportation system in The Philippines. For visitors unfamiliar with the area or travel, I recommend a taxi. Inside the arena is not handicapped accessible. There is a lack of ramps for anything outside the courtside. Security is prevalent. One thing that is disconcerting, however, is that in the upper Gallery, there are only two main doors, located behind each hoop. The others are chained off. When I was there in a full house for the finals, leaving would have been difficult in a time of panic. Return on Investment 5 A PBA game at PhilSports Arena is still enjoyable. I sat in the middle price range of seats (350 PHP for a doubleheader) and the cost of tickets, taxi to and from, a couple hot dogs and waters was well under 1000 PHP (about $23 US dollars). The entertainment level is high for the cost. Extras 1 Unfortunately, there are no programs for PBA games. Also, there are no merchandise sales. The tickets are generic. The extra star goes to the friendly staff and security. It is a family friendly environment inside and the staff takes great pride in the game day presentation.

Photo Courtesy of WKU Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 E.A. Diddle Arena 1906 College Heights Blvd Bowling Green, KY 42104 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers website E.A. Diddle Arena website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 7,500 The Best Rises to the Top There are hidden gems regarding college basketball venues spread all across the United States. One such example resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky with E.A. Diddle Arena. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have a proud basketball history that includes multiple Sweet Sixteen appearances and a Final Four berth way back in 1971. The modest, but beautiful, E.A. Diddle Arena was already around to see the glory days of Hilltopper basketball as it was constructed in 1963. It’s named in honor of Edgar E..A. Diddle, a former Hilltopper basketball coach who piled up over 750 wins and a win percentage of over 70 percent. Usually arenas grow in capacity over the years, but Diddle Arena has actually done the opposite. It once had the ability to hold over 13,000 fans, but now has a capacity of 7,500. That number is still plenty large enough to get this place to a loud level, and gives the Hilltoppers a distinct home-court advantage. It also makes for a more pleasant and comfortable fan experience without the seats being crammed up against each other. Extensive renovations were made to Diddle Arena in 2002, and it’s safe to say they hit the mark. If you call yourself a college basketball fan and you’re traveling through the Bluegrass state, you better make time to witness a game at this historical site for college basketball. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor. Food & Beverage 5 You will be blown away by the wide variety of food options at Diddle Arena. They take no shortcuts in making sure fans are completely taken care of when it comes to the concession areas. Far too often we go to smaller arenas only to find the most basic of options that you could seemingly find at a high school gym. The exact opposite occurs at Diddle Arena. If you’re a seafood lover, you have to stop at Seafood Steamer. It’s located in the 2nd level concourse area and offers fresh seafood that you can’t get at most college basketball arenas. The shrimp and crab nachos catch the eye, and they are fairly priced at $8. Quesadillas or a shrimp baskets are also $8. For $10, you can get what they call a Red Skillet, which is red potatoes, yellow onions and sausage. The generous portions you receive for these orders more than make up for the price, and will do the trick for your dinner. For the more traditional concession items, there are hot dogs for $4.25 and popcorn for $4.75. The pork nachos are really good, and they’re $7.50. Again, these are all large portions to make up for the price. Pork sandwiches are $6.50, bottomless popcorn is $7 and personal pan pizzas are a mere $5.75. Rounding out these very impressive selections of food options are the panini sandwiches that you can get with steak, veggies or turkey for $6.25. Souvenir sodas are $5.50 and smaller sizes are $3.75. There’s also bottled water and Powerade for $3.75. Alcohol isn’t served at Diddle Arena as it is located on campus. Skip the expensive restaurant and have dinner at Diddle Arena when attending a game. You’ll be taken care of and find some good food to hold you over throughout the game. Atmosphere 4 Upon entering Diddle Arena, you first get the feeling that you’re entering a high school gym. The hallways are narrow, there are a lot of classrooms and the building seems tiny. However, once you start navigating throughout the venue, you realize how much history and tradition resides here. The walls that go along the concourses are like walking through a museum of Western Kentucky athletics. Memorabilia covers virtually every speck of the wall, and it’s easy to get lost in the history. I found myself reading all of the old newspaper articles and columns that have been written about Hilltopper basketball. This is all cleverly organized by decade. When you enter into the seating area, you really get a sense of how awesome this place is. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how large the interior is after walking in from the concourse area. Expect the place to always be full of energy and excitement, regardless of where the Hilltoppers may be in the standings. The electricity really flows through this place when the team is competing for championships. There isn’t a classic scoreboard that hangs over the center of the court. Instead, there are two standard definition scoreboards that are in diagonal corners. They’re nothing fancy, but they do the trick. You’ll be delighted to find out how much leg room is provided, and how comfortable the chair back seats are. Too many arenas fall victim to cramming as many seats as possible into a small space, leaving the fan with very little room to stretch out their legs or climb out of the aisle. You won’t run into that problem here. There is some bleacher seating mixed in among the regular seats. Mascots always make the experience more fun, and “Big Red” is a classic. He’s basically a big red blob, but he does a fantastic job enhancing the fan experience with his various antics. Neighborhood 3 There’s nothing too special about Bowling Green outside of the fact that it’s a classic college town filled with some fun local bars. You also won’t have a problem finding a fast food or casual dining option before or after the game. If you like live music, then one popular spot to check out is Tidball’s. It’s located just a few blocks from the arena, allowing you to walk if the weather isn’t too bad. This would be a great place to go have a few drinks after the game. To get more of a dining experience, go to 440 Main. They have Cajun cuisine, a solid wine list and a friendly crowd. It’s also located about a mile away from the campus. There are several other bars and restaurants to explore that cater to the college scene. The campus of Western Kentucky is located a few miles off of Interstate-65, and that’s where you will find most of your lodging options. If you’re really wanting to stay somewhere nice, then the Hyatt Place is located on Center Street, which is right next to Diddle Arena. There is a theme park located in Bowling Green, but unfortunately it isn’t open during basketball season. Fans 4 You’ll never confuse fair weather fans with Hilltopper fans. Regardless of how poorly the team may be playing in a given season, there is a solid core of fans that will always make it to Diddle Arena to show their support. Some fan bases only show up when their respective team is at the top of the standings, but that’s simply not the case here. If Diddle Arena isn’t at least half full, then look out the window to make sure the world isn’t coming to an end. Fans from the great Commonwealth of Kentucky have the reputation of being diehard college basketball fans, and Western Kentucky fans uphold that reputation. The only minor criticism is the lack of a defined student section. Students have the ability to make their home turf a very difficult place to play for opposing teams. There are plenty of ordinary fans represented at Hilltopper games, but a stronger student section would be nice to see, and elevate the fan atmosphere to another level. Access 4 Parking is usually an adventure when these arenas are located on college campuses that you’re not familiar with. For instance, it can be confusing on where you’re allowed to park upon arriving to Diddle Arena. Be careful not to park in a permit only lot, and there are several of them surrounding the arena. More signs directing the visiting fan on where they’re allowed to park would be helpful. As long as you’re prepared to walk, there are some free lots on the outer perimeters of campus. The elevators will be a welcoming surprise to take you to the upper level, and the concourses are simple to navigate through, even if they’re a little narrow. Finding your way to Bowling Green and the campus itself should be no problem. It’s about a 10 to 15-minute drive off of Interstate-65. If you’re coming from the South, then taking William H. Natcher Parkway to Nashville Road will direct you right to the campus. Navigating around the perimeter of the campus shouldn’t give you any problems. You won’t have any headaches finding Diddle Arena, but give yourself time to find a viable parking spot. Return on Investment 5 You absolutely get your money’s worth when attending a game at Diddle Arena. You can expect ticket prices to be in the neighborhood of $12 for tickets outside of the lower sections. Tickets could go up to $25 for Saturday games, depending on the opponent. The positive fan experience and proud history of Western Kentucky basketball make up for that price. Concession prices may be above average for a Conference USA venue, but they make up for it with the quality and large portion sizes. After a short walk, you can find free parking on most occasions. A below average fan experience would really hurt this score, but the fan experience will far exceed the ordinary fan’s expectations. These prices are very fair for what you’re getting in return. Extras 4 I’m giving out a couple extra points for how proud Diddle Arena is of the history of Western Kentucky athletics. You basically get a free trip to a museum as you walk down the hallways and learn about all of the great moments that have happened here. This arena gets some bonus points for how much it embraces its main school color of red. Many venues miss the mark on something as simple as showing pride in the school colors. Virtually everything is red inside Diddle Arena, giving you that instant feeling of being in Hilltopper country. You’ll be in the vast minority if you’re not wearing red at this place. Not to mention, the mascot is named “Big Red” and is a big red blob. Can’t go wrong there. Finally, I give an extra point to how comfortable the seating is. The combination of the cushioned seats and the two-plus feet of leg space makes for a pleasant experience that is unusual when attending a sporting event of any level. Final Thoughts With the exception of some minor criticisms, this is about as perfect of an experience as any college basketball fan would want. You will most likely get that same experience if you come to Diddle Arena. The fans are passionate and friendly. There is so much love and loyalty to this basketball program and it is fun to see in person. Additionally, the arena staff is noticeably engaged in making sure the fan experience is as great as it can be, and that plays a big role in the healthy attendance numbers. Other mid-major basketball arenas need to take a page or two from the playbook of Diddle Arena.